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Open House: how to end crime against women?

Strict laws, harsh punishment can deter criminals

It is the matter of shame for India that violence against women is increasing day by day.

Strict laws, harsh punishment can deter criminals

Students hold placards during a protest in Ludhiana against the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua (Jammu). Himanshu Mahajan



It is the matter of shame for India that violence against women is increasing day by day. Do men have the courage to bear pain that a woman undergoes when she is pregnant or during periods. On one hand we worship Maa Durga and on the other we the people subject them to such horrifying acts. The menace cannot end unless or until women learn to defend themselves. There are many self-defence techniques, which a woman can learn, and use when any one approaches and tries to outrage her modesty. Women themselves can bring a change they want in society.  

Rajvinder Singh


Criminals roam freely as government indifferent

Ours is the country where most women are violated. Women face many issues like acid attacks, rape and harassment. We hear about rape cases every now and then. People always talks about humanity, which we are not able find anywhere. The authorities concerned are not swift enough to catch criminals. With criminals roaming freely crime is increasing day by day. Nobody is bothered about it. Women should raise their voice against crime. People should protest against problems faced by women as they have the power to change everything. 

Shivam Sharma


Violence against women must stop

It is shameful that violence against women is increasing day by day. Laws have not been implemented properly in India. Instead of seeking help from the government women must learn to protect themselves from the crime like rape. They must learn self defence. It means using force to fight crime. Strict laws must be enacted and high penalty must be imposed to deter people from committing crime like rape. Victims must get justice at the earliest. Such offences must be non bailable. 

Manpriya Kaur


We must improve our society 

Women are subjected to many kinds of violence, including rape, sexual assault and domestic. Such issues are increasing in our society with each passing day. Main reasons behind increase in such incidents are sluggish courts, insufficient and conflicting laws. For improving status of women in society the government should enact stricter laws. Being responsible citizens we should also contribute to improvement of society. Campaigns like ‘Beti bachao, beti padhao’ can spread awareness on importance of girl child and women in society. Such drives must aim to stop activities detrimental to the welfare of women. People should learn moral values and respect women. ‘Ravana’ kidnapped Sita Mata, but never touched her. Still we light his effigy every year. In India women are getting raped every minute as we sit quietly. Why the government gives excuses and deals with those behind crime leniently. The focus should be on women’s safety at home and public places. We all should learn basic defence to protect ourselves.

Kalpna Maurya


Gender-biased social structures deep-rooted 

If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves? Crime against women is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations. It is rooted in gendered social structures rather than individual and random acts. It cuts across age, socio-economic, educational and geographic boundaries. It affects all societies and is a major obstacle to ending gender inequality and discrimination globally. Violence against women and girls can end if they are imparted education and given employment. Young boys and girls should be taught to maintain respectful relationship and gender equality among themselves. Start public awareness campaigns as they bring public attention to violence. Share important information with women and girls to make them knowledgeable. 

Harkirat Singh


Women have become their own enemies

Recent issue of Apna Ghar, Rohtak, shows how helpless women have become. It also highlights how women are becoming their own enemies. Women need to be empowered first physically and then financially. We must train our sisters, daughters and wives in martial art. Orthodox thought about man being the only bread earner in family also acts as impediment in women empowerment. Financial stability will allow women to fight against any atrocity and enable them to support fellow beings. A girl must realise that she can be successful entrepreneur too. Infact anyone can use her talent for start up. 

Manmeet Kaur


Broaden mindset towards girls

It’s sad that women are not safe in our society. The mentality of the people in society is embedded in gender-biased crust. Our conscience should be high and not for auction. People should know that there is a mom and sister in their homes, who think that their son or brother will protect them from any stranger, who wants to harm them. We should broaden our mindset towards women. Women are not toys to play with it. Rape is the worst thing that occurs every now and then. How can a man be so cruel. How can his lust allow him to shorten life of a girl child. There should be strictest laws against rape. The guilty should not be spared.

Jaspreet Singh


Community must realise its responsibility

November 25 is celebrated as the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. Various initiatives to stop female foeticide, educate girls or to make them aware about their rights seem to be insufficient when an eight-year-girl is raped in a temple for seven/ eight days consecutively. Her parents do not search for her in temple considering it a sacred place, but lesser do they know that she was subjected to cruelty in front of God. Violence against women can be stopped by educating community members on their responsibility towards country. Raise public awareness on the trauma women face when they are subjected to violence. Strict laws should be framed and implemented to punish the guilty.  Political participation and influence of women should be enhanced to check violence against them. The gap between laws and their execution should be bridged.  

Dr Jasdeep Kaur


Stop sensationalising rape news

It is a matter of shame that violence against women continues unabated. What should be done to end violence against women? How can we stop heinous crimes like rape? There’s hardly a day when instances of harassment, violence and sexual abuse of women isn’t reported by the media. The most shocking aspect is that these instances are increasing at an alarming pace and minors too are being sexually abused. Above all the accused are unrepentant on their crimes. Moreover, they usually go scot free or are let off with a light sentence. To end such crimes first of all the womenfolk should not discriminate the girl child. They must sensitise men to respect women. Secondly, justice should be pronounced swiftly without any bias. Thirdly, the harshest of punishments should be given to the culprits. And last of all I would appeal to the media to not to sensationalise any news of rape. 

Dr Ashwani K Malhotra 


Teach self-defence to women/girls

In a country like India, women are not safe at all. Everyday we hear about rape cases. In such a scenario, women’s safety has become a necessity. There are several ways to increase women’s safety. No comes forward to help when it comes to giving protection to some in danger. So, proper self defence training sessions should be conducted. Moreover, CCTV cameras and GPS-enabled trackers should be installed in all public transport. 

Manav Bansal


Onus of punishing guilty lies on state

In December 2012 the whole nation was on roads to protest rape and murder of Nirbhaya and demand punishment for the guility. More than five years have passed, but the rate of such crimes still remains alarmingly high. The criminal acts of rape/murder in Kathua, Ounab and now Eita villages, which were highlighted by the media are just a tip of the iceberg. There may be a number ‘Asifas’ whose sufferings go unreported due to various reasons. The circumstances may vary from case to case. The cause of such behaviour towards women is the feeling of superiority, which boys or men taste during their early childhood. Therefore, it’s the prime duty of mothers, family members and institutions to teach their boys that sexual advances or eve teasing is undesirable, crime and can invite severe punishments. 

Satveer Pandher 


Most culprits do not fear law

It is shame that violence against women continues at increasing rate more so in our country. Strong steps must be taken to stop violence and heinous crimes like rape. Laws must be stricter. Presently, it takes much longer to establish crime against women. So, culprits either do not fear law or escape punishment. There must be separate courts to decide cases of crime against women or time limit to decide and award punishment must be fixed. Further, the award must be executed within a fixed time period. Raping minor girls must invite death punishment. The police should prepare list of spots in cities, which have high crime rate and pay extra attention to women’s safety at such places. Similarly, the youth and public must realise their responsibility towards women’s safety as their own sisters, daughters or wives may face such situation. 

Dr G Dev


We all live in constant fear

The atrocities against women continue. Everyday we hear about molestation, violence, discarding of foetus, dowry problem, acid attacks and forced prostitution. It literally rapes every girl’s soul, to be honest. We have started living with a fear of being next. We feel weak as the justice system doesn’t even go beyond petty offences. We live in a country where eight-year-old girl is raped in temple and trended on porn site. Ours is a country where rapes and atrocities have become a custom, where men can do anything with female child and then saved in the name of religion. Do rapists have a religion?  In order to save babies, girls and women serious measures need to be taken. The culprits should be hanged so that others do not dare to repeat such mistakes. Moreover, parents need to be open with their children and trust them if they discuss any harassment instead asking them to maintain silence. 

Harshpreet Kaur Suri


Our democracy needs speedy justice

We have not improved in the last 71 years. We have degraded. We have lumbering executive and judiciary. It takes decades to punish the culprits behind heinous crimes. Special courts in each district, special Bench in each High Court and one at the Supreme Court and special investigation squad of honest police officers, which directly reports to courts can solve cases of heinous crime against women. Two years timeline from lower court to the Supreme Court with no adjournments on flimsy reasons can help in speedy delivery of justice to victims. No waiting period after conviction and public hanging will instil fear among criminals. Our democracy needs speeding of justice.

Major Gurdeep S Samra (retd)


It’s a challenge for all of us

Addressing the issue of violence against women, the most systematic and widespread human rights violation, has become a challenge for us all. Every day women and girls experience fear, or the aftermath of horrific crimes like rape against them. Narendra Modi-led BJP government fails to understand that violence against women and girls is a gender-based crime. It requires focus and robust cross-government approach underpinned by a single agreed definition. Modus operandi of police force instead of protecting the general public has also changed to generate revenue for central and state governments. Laws, too, fail to distract criminals as there is lack of capital or exemplary punishment. The ambition to end violence against women and girls is not a short-term task, but a long-term goal. We need to work with families, communities, local authorities, organisations and public health service to change attitudes and address the issue. Let’s pledge that no woman should live in fear of violence. 

Ravi Chander Garg


Girls don’t depend on anyone, protect yourself

Violence against women is well known to everyone. Neither the government is doing anything to punish the perpetrators nor is the public taking initiative to protect girls. The government should introduce laws with severe punishment for perpetrators. Criminals commit such crime because they know how to escape from clutches of the law. Secondly, girls should join hands and pay the perpetrators back in the same coin. If anyone dares to behave inappropriately with us, we are free to beat and insult them in public. It will make them realise how it feels to be teased. 

Garima Aggarwal


Introspect, treat women as equals

The crime rate against women is at its peak. We are a society of hypocrites. One one side we are taught in our tradition and customs that all women are like our sisters, daughters, and mothers, but we change our perspective towards them as soon as we get a chance to overpower the fairer sex. We are confused how to treat women properly because due to commercialisation there is an objectification of women. It has brainwashed our common sense and we have started treating girls as an object to win over. Social media, advertisements, movies, and songs continuously feed our brains to prove the masculine power to impress and acquire the fair sex. To stop all crimes against women we must analyse our thoughts and start treating them equally. 

 Pardeep Bhamra


Are we really human beings?

Are we sure that this is 21st century when we as most civilised people are talking about crime against women, who are part and parcel of our society. Are we really human beings? Where are laws? Where is education?  People who are involved and committing these heinous crimes should think about these questions themselves. There should be fast track courts to take decision and give justice to victims. Just hang five or 10 guilty persons or criminals and watch the rate of crime against women plummet. Crisis response centre must be set up in every city and village. Indecent portrayal of women in media, TV shows, advertisement and movies should be stopped. 

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui


OPEN HOUSE COMMENT
Educating boys on gender equality must
Minna Zutshi

there is a need to change the mindset. Experts handling cases of violence against women say that most heinous acts are rooted in stereotyping that justify exploitation of women. It is important to look at the structural causes of violence so as to address the basic issues and also work on preventive measures. 

Girls should be taught self-defence at an early age. Educating boys about gender equality is equally important. Empowerment of women through education and economic independence is a big step towards curbing violence against women. 

 Participation of women in decision-making process needs to be encouraged. Last but not least, strong laws and their effective implementation are a must. 


OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

Broken electricity poles, damaged wall of the canal bridge – authorities wake up only when there is an accident. Should there be any mechanism whereby the accountability of officials concerned is reinforced?               [email protected]

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