Increasing crimes particularly against women expose thecomplete failure of the state, which is unable to provide safety and securityto its citizens. In 2012 alone there were 661 rape cases reported in Delhi. Inthe last decade the conviction rate has been only 26%. This does not mean that the others did notcommit rape. They are clear cases ofshoddy investigations. The scenario inGoa is no different. Child offenders andrapists have gone scot free in most cases because of poor investigations bypolice. In the recent case of rape anddeath of a minor that agitated the state of Goa the statement of the only eyewitness was not recorded when filing the charge sheet before the court.
A few days ago a newspaper in Goa reported the case of ahusband and son of a prominent social activist who allegedly molested theirminor maidservant. On learning that shewas pregnant the high profile activist has promptly got her admitted in a homeat Nachinola, where she is to deliver the child any time now. Amusingly this social activist has beenshouting on top of her voice about her shock and how she shudders at thehorrific gang rape that took place in Delhi. Despite complaints being lodged noaction has been taken till date. Interestingly men who father through rape areable to assert the same custody and visitation rights to their children thatother fathers enjoy. As no law prohibitsa rapist from exercising these rights.
Stringent laws, harsher punishments and speedier convictionsas modes of deterrence can never constitute the key factors in protecting andcontrolling crimes against women. Rapeis sexual violence of the most brutal kind, and those who advocate chemicalcastration are obviously seeing it as an act of sex rather than as an act ofviolence/power. If a criminal is deemedso potentially violent that chemical castration is needed to prevent repeatoffences, what is the guarantee that he would not resort to other forms ofviolence against women? Remarkably eventhe Chief Justice of India (CJI) Altamas Kabir has repeatedly been stating,“The incident of December 16 is not an isolated incident. Such matters are happening everyday indifferent parts of the country.” Even after the December 16 incident thatrocked the nation brutal rapes continue widespread throughout the country. Eventhe mentally challenged are not spared the horror of rape that happens mostoften by a family member.
Amid nationwide outrage over the Delhi gang rape, theUniversity Grants Commission (UGC) hasasked Universities and Institutions of higher education to seriously review thesecurity arrangements for girls and women on the campuses and ensure a safeworking environment for women employees. The decision of the UGC to set up modules for gender sensitization inthe curricular areas of higher education is certainly a step in the rightdirection. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhhas also written to the NCERT about including chapters in school textbooks aspart of moral education to bring a societal change in how growing up boys lookat girls and women.
It is high time we stop looking at women as those who needprotection. We have got to start aprocess where women begin taking control of their lives and are looked upon asone amongst the two equal sexes. It isthe duty of our government and every citizen to create an atmosphere wherewomen are totally safe at home, schools and public and work places.
The writer, a social scientist and lawyer has for decades asa human rights activist, espoused the cause of vulnerable sections of society
