Current Events

Making India & Punjab Safe for Women

KIRANJOT KAUR

In a patriarchal society the worth of a woman is centred around her sexuality. Virginity is her biggest asset and loss of virginity a reason to kill her.

Throughout history, for example, victorious armies have raped women of defeated nations to demoralise the latter further.

In “civilized”,  “modern” India, Sikh women were raped in Delhi and across the nation in 1984, and Muslim women in Gujarat post-Godhra incident in recent memory to 'teach them (their community) a lesson'.

Women are subjugated with sexual violence and they become victims and culprits at the same time! Innumerable children, girls and women are raped everyday and the news is tucked away in the folds of a newspaper in a column or two depending upon the sensation it can create. There is generally no public reaction.

But the brutal and savage gang-rape in Delhi has brought the issue to the country's focus.

A DISTURBING MINDSET

The trauma, agony and pain of the Delhi gang-rape victim have been felt by the nation. The aam aadmi -- the common man -- has been shaken out of inertia and is demanding safety and security for women in his family and stricter punishment for the criminals.

In this hour of crisis the reaction of some political and religious leaders has shown a disturbing 'she-asked-for-it' mindset deeply embedded in the psyche of Indian men towards rape that desperately needs to change.

The self-proclaimed protectors of Indian “culture and heritage” warn women not to cross the 'lakshman rekha' -- a so called line of modesty, according to Hindu religious texts -- threatening the Hindu mythical demon Raavan as a consequence but offering no suggestion to tame the Raavan.

Even more bizarre is explaining rape as a consequence of westernisation of India and the denial of the existence of rape in Bharat (rural, traditional India)!

'A woman's place is in the home' says a self-proclaimed Hindu “godman” and offers an even simpler solution: Had the victim proclaimed one of the rapists her brother -- during the course of the violence being committed -- this would not have happened!

Then how would the “godman” explain the rape of a three-year-old or a six-year-old child? A girl child is subjected to abuse even within the 'safe' four walls of a home. A woman may face physical and sexual assault from her close relatives, including father and brother. It is a social reality that one cannot close one's eyes to. Unfortunately, incest and child sexual abuse are not even acknowledged; punishment is a far-off thing.

Reacting to the rise in rape crimes, the statement of the Jathedar of the Akal Takht and then Baba Dhumma, head of Sant Samaj, exhorting women to wear traditional and culturally acceptable clothes, show men just do not realise sexual harassment of young girls happens right under their noses!

Even in religious places, when there is a huge rush of devotees and young women wearing traditional clothes with their heads covered stand in queues for darshan, a stray hand snakes up to pinch a bottom. Or someone will make body contact under the guise of the crowd pushing. While going to school or college, it is common place to have stalkers following girls, sometimes to their homes.

The difference today is that stalkers have become aggressive and violent to the point of criminality.

A 'no' invites an acid attack.

PRIVATE WORLD TOO IS UNSAFE

It is not just the outside world that needs to be made safe for a woman but their private world also needs to be taken care of. Most of the cases that came to the Punjab State Women Commission seeking divorce had a common refrain … 'Can't take any more physical assault'!

To make Punjab safe for a woman, a three-pronged approach should be followed. First an amendment to the existing laws and making new ones in the changed circumstances. Second, create a mechanism to ensure implementation of the gender laws. And third, create an environment to deter crime.

At the moment there is no law that specifically addresses the problem of 'eve-teasing' -- a euphemism for street sexual harassment and stalking. These are perceived as minor offences and not taken seriously. It is almost accepted as a normal part of being a woman.

When minor offences against women are left unaddressed, they grow to bigger crimes.

Delhi and Tamil Nadu have taken a lead in passing a Prohibition of Eve Teasing Act 1988 and 1998 respectively. In Tamil Nadu it is a non-bailable offence with the maximum punishment being a rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of 50,000 rupees. Maharashtra is deliberating on it.

Punjab should also pass an Act to prohibit eve-teasing and make it a non-bailable offence with different intensity of punishment for various types of molestation. It is important to recognise a woman as a person with basic right to privacy and safety from unwanted advances; that it is a crime to force oneself on a woman.

Citizens also need to be made responsible in bringing the culprit to justice.

The Delhi victim lay on the road naked and bleeding on a cold winter night and passers-by were just spectators … nobody wants to get involved in court-kachheri ka chakkar (the rigmarole of the out-dated court-system). There should be a law that the statement of an eyewitness be recorded in not more than two hearings. The common man should not feel harassed in helping a victim. Professional eyewitnesses hanging around outside the courts for hire have to be done away with.

ROLE OF WOMEN COMMISSIONS

As a measure to empower women, State Women Commissions were empowered.

Unfortunately in Punjab it has been on the government's lowest priority. At the moment it is just a department under the Social Security and Woman Welfare Ministry and absolutely toothless. Constitutionally, it is a statutory body with a scope to be the watchdog for women's interests and a platform for gender sensitisation of government machinery.

Since its inception, the commission has helped women in their individual lives but has not done anything for womankind. The commission has to move beyond family and property disputes which reach it after exhausting panchayat, women cell and police options.

The Punjab State Women Commission needs to be empowered and adequate finance should be made available to make it functional.

The Protection Against Domestic Violence Act 2005 has finally recognised crimes against women which have cultural acceptance. Wife-beating, threats to throw her out of the marital home, emotional and psychological stress on her for various reasons, etc., do not even raise an eyebrow. This Act can make the life of a woman much more bearable if implemented in its true spirit in Punjab.

Infrastructure to implement the Act needs to be created. The government needs to appoint protection officers accessible to women right up to the village level and create awareness about the help available to women as their right.

Recently trained young policewomen should be given active policing duty related to crimes against women. Policewomen should also man PCR vans which should be available on call to young women being molested on roadside. Routine checkups of vehicles outside schools and colleges will deter the troublemakers.

RAPE CRISIS CENTRES

Rape is the most traumatic crime against a woman which needs to be handled sensitively.

For rape cases the government should create rape crisis centres. A victim should report straight to a rape crisis centre, which should be equipped with a rape test kit, staff for forensic test, personnel to help in filing an FIR and help with psychological counselling of the victim.

There should be a provision for an immediate physical examination of the victim when she reports the crime. Lodging an FIR report can take place later. The victim could be guided about her rights and the legal recourse she can take to punish the guilty. This centre could be a part of the government hospital and a must in every hospital connected to a medical college, to begin with.

Last but not least, there’s a need to create an environment where the crime rate goes down. In a study by the UN it has been reported that crimes against women increase when the consumption of alcohol increases. In recent times the Punjab Government's policy has increased consumption of liquor manifold. Innumerable shops have opened in Punjab and liquor is within easy reach. Teenagers have taken to drinking and there is a sharp increase in crime committed by teenagers.

The National Crime Records Bureau shows an increase in crime by juveniles in 14 to 18 years age group by a whopping 188 per cent.

Liquor shops should be discouraged. Punjab does not need distilleries. If Gujarat can grow without income from alcohol, why does Punjab need to depend on income from alcohol sale?

Drugs are destroying youth and the social fabric. It is an open secret that a police-politician-drug pedlar nexus exists. The government should break this nexus in earnest and ensure a safe and vibrant Punjab.

This is the land where our brave heroes snatched back cartloads of young girls from invaders and escorted them safely home. How come the same land has young men grabbing and groping women?

Let us restore Punjab back to its glory as the land of the Gurus.


The writer is a former General Secretary of the SGPC and a former member of the Punjab State Women Commission.

[Courtesy: Tribune]

January 25, 2013

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