Demonstrations against sexual violence are happening all over India to call for increased protection for women in the country with the highest population in the world. The protests are increasing awareness of a widespread problem of sexual assault. However, in order to address the widespread culture of sexism in a society that remains heavily patriarchal, changes must begin at the highest levels of organizations, including the courts and law enforcement.
Addressing long-standing norms will be a challenging task. Although education and improved policies can be beneficial, increasing the number of women in high-ranking positions is essential in both politics and the business sector. Women’s representation in ministerial roles (6.9%) and in parliament (17.2%) remains notably low, as reported in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report for 2024. Implementing change from within these predominantly male centers of authority will enhance India’s global image, especially as foreign investors are closely monitoring the economic giant.
Protests alone won’t work
The marches were sparked by the brutal incident of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor on Aug. 9 at a government hospital in Kolkata. It brought memories of the 2012 incident when a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was gang-raped and murdered on a New Delhi bus.
In the past, there were widespread protests nationwide, prompting the establishment of a committee to review legislation on sexual offenses. The government enacted stricter legislation on rape, which now includes capital punishment for those who commit the crime multiple times. The law also included provisions for imprisoning police officers who neglect to document a first complaint made by a woman who has been assaulted.
The problem of violence against women in India is still widespread and worrisome, obstructing the country’s advancement in terms of gender equality and social justice. The recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata exposes the deficiencies in ensuring the safety of women.
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Something needs to change very quickly
Even with laws in place and increased knowledge, the prevalence of violence against women remains dangerously high, as shown by the National Crime Records Bureau’s yearly reports. Women in India are subjected to a range of dangers that threaten their safety, dignity, and overall well-being, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dowry-related crimes, and human trafficking.
Gender-based violence in India is often sustained by a combination of patriarchal traditions, economic gaps, and cultural customs deeply ingrained in society’s social structure. While cities have experienced more reporting and awareness, rural areas continue to struggle with underreporting because of social stigma and limited access to support services.
Solving this intricate issue demands improved enforcement of current laws as well as a comprehensive strategy involving community involvement, better support systems, and thorough data analysis to establish a safer and fairer environment for women.
The policy adjustments, even if incremental, represented progress and acknowledged the need for legislators to address these heinous offenses. However, it failed to prevent violence towards women. Actually, the situation is deteriorating.
During 2022, there were a recorded 445,256 instances of crimes committed against women. Of those, about 32,000 were instances of rape, an increase from around 28,000 in 2020. According to government statistics, in 2011, a woman was sexually assaulted every 20 minutes. That increased to approximately every 16 minutes by 2021.
Male dominated society
There are other countries besides India that also have a strong patriarchal culture which privileges men. Nevertheless, it appears that authorities have long ignored violence against women. The National Crime Records Bureau’s report now includes categories like Murder With Rape/Gang Rape, Dowry Deaths, Abetment to Suicide of Women, Acid Attack, and Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives, signifying that these crimes have become commonplace.
Even with progress in the economy, the situation for women is not getting better. India was positioned at 129th place out of 146 countries on the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. A strong majority of Indians, specifically 90%, believe that it is important for a wife to obey her husband, with around 2/3 of respondents completely supporting this belief. This data comes from a 2022 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center focusing on gender roles.
While women and girls are typically anticipated to be obedient, men are typically expected to assert power and domination in their families and relationships, which can appear in different forms. In romantic relationships, males may exert control by keeping tabs on cellphones and social networking accounts.
A research conducted in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region revealed that a large number of young men exert considerable influence over their partners’ use of social media and mobile phones, as reported by 80% of young individuals who stated that their male friends monitor their partner’s phone usage.
The psychological characteristics of the society also play a significant role in issues like honor killings within a country. Some parents refuse to approve of their children marrying individuals from different castes and religions. The majority of this is made up of males from higher castes. Lack of Panchayat Samiti in certain areas leads to the presence of harsh government systems.
The numerous sexist and patriarchal structures present in Indian society play a part in the continued violence against women in the country. Girls are excluded from school at a younger age than boys, starting from infancy. Sexual objectification is the act of viewing someone solely as a sexual being. In a wider perspective, objectification involves treating someone as a product or an object disregarding their personality or dignity.
We reside in a superficial society that professes to honor women, yet the statistical data reveals the true status of women in Indian society. The idea of domestic violence reflects the male-dominated society and its effort to dominate women. Our society provides the ideal environment for the patriarchal parasite to thrive. In our country, it is highly ironic that women are revered as goddesses like ‘Lakshmi’, ‘Saraswati’, and ‘Durga’, representing wealth, knowledge, and strength, yet domestic violence remains prevalent.
Need for family values
There is a crucial groundwork in place that can prevent the majority of crimes way before they ever occur, known as the family. The significance of family in one’s life cannot be understated. Family ties connect us to our past and pave the way for our future. Early experiences play a crucial role in shaping our personal growth.
Several criminologists have stressed the significance of the parental role in the development of a criminal. Individuals well-versed in criminology no longer doubt the significance of the family environment in crime causation.
A strong family bond creates a feeling of belonging. Family is where we establish our roots and from there we blossom and thrive. A feeling of fitting in comes from the close connection within a family. When we gaze into the mirror, we can pinpoint the individual who bears the greatest responsibility in achieving this goal, which is parenting.
Families carry the utmost responsibility for preventing crime in society. Numerous studies indicate that specific family traits and the surrounding environment impact adolescent delinquency. For example, the amount of individuals in the family, financial conflicts, household duties, relationship issues, parental neglect, and the child’s connection to their parents.
Parents hold the authority to influence, shape, and nurture their children. A family’s discipline techniques and societal views will eventually be mirrored by their children. That’s why parenting is seen as both a source and a solution for crime. The way we raise our children impacts the next generation and their attitudes towards crime.
If a parent is emotionally or physically abusive to the other parent, the child may end up assuming similar roles. He could assume the abuser role without recognizing his abusive behavior, because it seems natural to him. Kids who are given respect, kindness, and thoughtfulness eventually grow up to not tolerate mistreatment from others. If a child is raised in an environment where disrespect, unkindness, and carelessness are prevalent, as they grow older, they may view such treatment as normal and possibly even comforting.
