Will there be and end to women harassment??
In India, Women are treated as Goddess. Indian culture and custom enlightens the importance of
women and every religion of India teaches us to respect them. Women are proving themselves in each and
every field but still in case of their protection, we are lagging behind. Many laws has been enacted to
protect their rights and for their welfare. Even after commencement of many acts and rules, they are
vulnerable in the society. They are not given the same importance and secured life as compared to men.
Indian government has enforced several laws for the secure life of women and is trying to armor more
from the year 1956 to the present day. And the laws are as follows:
1) Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
2) Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
3) Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
4) Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987.
5) National Commission for Women Act, 1990.
6) Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
7) Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment Bill, 2007.
As these laws and acts are not stringent, the crime rate on women has been rising gradually. The
proportion of crime committed against women has increased continuously during last seven years from
8.2 percent in 2006 to 12.5 percent in 2013. Women are being harassed under the name of:
1) Dowry
2) Sexual Harassment
3) Cyber Harassment
4) Domestic Violence and many more
Due to the problem of Dowry, they are being tortured mentally and physically. Girls are being
harassed sexually at their work places and at other places too. In cyber harassment, they are being
mentally tortured by fake, vulgar images and videos. In domestic violence, the wives suffer because of
husband’s cruelty.
Without proper support and care from the society and law, women are choosing to commit
suicide than facing them or they choose to suffer in silence than approaching courts.
India is a country where the people give much importance to culture – customs – traditions and
thereby giving high respect to women as their sisters and mothers. But I wonder, still why they are being
harassed so brutally? Some people reply: – “It’s because of Introduction of western culture.” Some refer
this world to be a male dominating one (in case of domestic violence). And others answer it as: “People’s
behavior and cruel-vulgar mentality.”
Today, Punishments imposed on the offenders are not so effective. It must be more stringent to
ensure the better life of women. For a rape attempt or a rape, the offender should be hanged; this will
create fear in the minds of people and they will not try to go against the law. Seven years of imprisonment
which may extend to life imprisonment must be imposed strictly for Dowry and sexual harassment cases.
Harassment of women has occurred throughout history and will likely to keep occurring. As
society is developed and become more sophisticated, the hope is that harassment will slowly decline in
occurrence. Until then women can protect themselves from harassment by learning about different types,
acquiring self defense training and staying up to date on the laws concerning the harassment of women.
By-Samskruthi Mitra
Nitish Banka is an advocate practicing in Supreme Court of India and can be reached at [email protected] or 9891549997
I too have been agonised by this ill treatment meted out to women. These incidences only reflect our cultural degradation over the decades. Right from the period of our Epics like Ramayanam and Mahabaratham, women have been portrayed as the weaker sex, and instances of their exploitation for lust and greed are justified. This male oriented mindset must be changed, and the importance of women in these epics must be highlighted. Our politicians must also take a pledge, along with Oath of Office, that they shall give high respect and uphold the dignity of women in every walk of life. Our police force must also be sensitised to treat women equally. It is a pity that the inspite of such stringent Laws protecting women, enforcement is minimal, because of the negative attitude of Policemen. Further, investigating methods must be updated and based on scientific and psychological factors, rather than leaving it to the ill equipped and ill trained Policemen. Lastly, women must be encouraged to come forward with reporting abuse, and media trial of such offences must be restricted. Hope sense prevails upon everyone.