KOLKATA DEMAND JUSTICE
KOLKATA DEMAND JUSTICE
Complete background coverage of the case.
RELEVANCY – UPSC / State PSC (Mains)
Why in News?
- The spoken news that has been widespread in the nation today speaks about the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
- The incident has ignited the people of India with the concerns about women’s safety and hence is followed by widespread protest by healthcare workers demanding for a central law to provide protection.
- As a matter of fact, India has almost half of its existing laws made to empower and secure women. But the rising crime score alarms the need to shift the focus from making laws to implementing laws at grassroot level.
DEMANDS MADE BY THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS
- Central Protection Act – Indian Medical Association (IMA) has put forward demands for a nationwide common law to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
Such kind of laws can be commonly seen in the countries like UK having NHS (National Health Service) zero tolerance policy, USA having Felony Assaults classifications, etc.
- They have also demanded for a classified system of security to be established at every hospital irrespective of the size of place of the campus. They have stated – “Security at the hospitals should not be less than that of the airports”.
- Trained security guards with technical ability to monitor the CCTV cameras effectively have been demanded at every hospital by IMA.
- 24*7 lighting system and effective emergency response has been asked for.
- The most important out of all these demands is the demand of safer working and living conditions for doctors and nurses in the hospital premises.
FACTS DRAWN TO HIGHLIGHT THE RISING SAFETY CONCERNS FOR WOMEN IN INDIA
There are certain categories of crimes repeatedly reported in India –
- Cruelty by Partner or in-laws contribute to 31.4% of the total cases
- Kidnapping of women contributes to 19.2%
- Molestation and outraging modesty of women contributes to 18.7%
- Rape and murder contribute towards 7.1%
These are some threats that reveal the insecurity women face in their everyday life not only outside their house but also at home, within families etc.
EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY IN INDIA
- National Policy for Empowerment of Women, 2001 – Advances women in workfield, empowers and protects thems against violence and provides them with mechanisms to prevent such incidents.
- Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) – specifically talks of violence against women as a major issue. Provides mechanisms to take actions against domestic violence and rape.
- Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 – It addresses sexual harassment against women in their respective workplace aiming to ensure a safe work environment.
- POCSO Act 2012 – Protection of Children from Sexual Offences proved children with the measures and legal framework for their protection and ensuring strict penalties for offenders.
REASONS BEHIND FAILURE OF SUCH PROVISIONS
- Weak Implementations – Nirbhaya case came as a spark in the nation in 2012 after which the Amended Criminal Law Act 2013 was enforced. The provision thereafter are noted to be implemented in a very few areas.
- Inadequate implementation of schemes like Internal Complaints Committee.
- Mishandling of such cases especially in the remote areas and corruption caused due to highly existing bribery and misconduct at the official level.
- High burden of proof and lengthy process of judiciary discourages women to come out for their own selves.
- Lack of Awareness and Education is another key factor in the demotion of such provisions in the society.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES FOR WOMEN’S PROTECTION AND EMPOWERMENT
- Digital Infrastructure and in-built apps – The Android and iOS applications like Suraksha, APSS (Amrita Personal Safety System), VithU etc. provide a safety foundation for women anytime, anywhere. They provide a quick and an easy way to women to send distress signals and location for help while during any such incidents.
- Incredible India Helpline Number – Provides an all-time code of conduct for safe tourism maintaining a safer environment for tourists to travel and visit places safely.
- Women specific Train/Metro/ coaches and Bus seats – The various state organisations are thriving hard to provide women with separate facilities to ensure safe travel.
- NIRBHAYA Fund – A govt funding system that provides financial support to the newly made or already existing schemes for women safety, empowerment and development. It includes setting up of emergency response systems etc.
- Swadhar Greh Scheme – It provides short stay homes for women facing challenges and difficulties like violence and conducts awareness programs to educate women about their rights.
WAY FORWARD
- India is facing a lot more challenges in this field and for sure needs to bring a reform in the system of women’s safety.
- Safety measure like Nationwide Protection Law, Safe City Designs, Public Awareness Campaigns etc are needed to be constantly checked and implemented at grassroot level to ensure inclusive safety and development.
- Local Safety steps like the ones taken by SHE Teams of Telangana Police, PINK SEVA of Lucknow Police are the best ways to promote security and supportive environment for women in every region.
- By ensuring such steps, India can look forward to an embarked social, economic, political well being of women aligning together with the safety, security and empowerment. Hence, India as a whole can become empowered by empowering and developing the women force of the country.