Context: In India, although over half of the 642 million eligible voters are women, women’s safety issues receive little attention from political candidates, highlighting a significant discrepancy.
Current Situation:
- Daily, approximately 90 rape cases are reported, nearly half of the women experience domestic violence, and two-thirds of Dalit women face sexual violence.
- 77% of women do not report the violence against them, and only 1% of women seek divorce.
- 39% of officers consider complaints of gender-based violence to be unfounded.
Challenges:
- Institutional Violence: Survivors often endure additional trauma starting from the reporting process.
- Barriers in Rural Areas: Panchayats dominated by males and upper-castes pose challenges for women pursuing justice.
- Case Backlog: India faces a backlog of 40 million court cases, disproportionately affecting survivors of violence.
- Ineffective Implementation: Despite having strong domestic violence laws, implementation is hindered by outdated methods and ineffective officials, including a harsh police system and protracted judicial processes.
- Lack of Data: Limited data due to underreporting and silence impedes a comprehensive understanding and access to justice.
Way Forward:
- Training Initiatives: Implement survivor-focused training for police and judicial officials, taking cues from organizations like Vanangna, a women’s rights collective in Uttar Pradesh.
- Institutional Reforms: Reform justice institutions to be trauma-informed and healing-centered.
- Data Collection: Collect and disseminate more data and personal accounts to grasp the issue’s magnitude.
- Policy Development: Formulate national policies that prioritize the experiences of survivors, especially from marginalized communities, to build a fair and just system.
- Criminal Law Update: Revise criminal procedures with gender-sensitive training and evaluation measures.
- Political Advocacy: Encourage voters and politicians to champion change, ensuring survivors can pursue justice without fear, similar to the national campaign success for girls’ education.