Violence and gender-based inequality against women and girls are widespread all over the world. In the ancient Greek culture, women had no right to vote, own property or inherit. Even in India, practice of Sati Partha (burn the women on husband’s pyre), devadasi and so on were nothing but the exploitation of women. Credit should be given to the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance’ Raja Rammohan Roy for raising his voice to abolish this heinous practice.
Discrimination continues
At present, women continue to experience discrimination and violence in their everyday lives. Gender-based violence is common in both public and private spheres. Most of the cases remain under-reported due to social barriers. Despite the spread of education among girls, domestic violence is still on the rampage. In India, girls are being harassed or sometimes killed or burnt for dowry. There is still a huge debate on equality between the two sexes across the world.
Exploitation of girls
Before the start of any mega-events, girls are trafficked for the entertainment of people. The same thing happened in 2006 football world cup in Germany, many brothel houses were opened, girls were hired to entertain the fans. The business of flesh trade is being operated at a high level.
Global issue
Violence against women and girls is prevalent all over the world, that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.
- The numbers revealed by WHO are shocking.
- 35 per cent women are sexually or physically exploited by intimate partners.
- Globally, 38 percent murder of women is being committed by male intimate partners.
- 200 million women have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting.
India is not behind
According to the National Family Health Survey, 30 per cent women in India between the age group of 15-49 have been physically exploited since the age of 15. Apart from this, six per cent women of the same age group are the victim of sexual exploitation. Married women also face this trauma. The survey report also reveals that 31 per cent married women pass through physical, sexual or emotional violence by their spouses.
Most cases not registered
Unfortunately, cases of violence against women and girls are continuing to rise. The average reported rape cases are about 6.3 per 100,000 of the population. Many cases of sexual violence are not reported in India. In many states of India like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, only a meagre 0.5 per cent of cases of violence against women were reported.
‘Do Kadam’ project in Bihar
The government of India has made several laws to eliminate violence against women and girls through numerous policies and laws. In Bihar, ‘Do Kadam’ is a project to overcome the intimate partner violence against women and girls. Modi government’s Beti Bachao Beti Badhao movement has also attempted to change the prevailing mindset against girl-child in India. With education, more and more women are joining the work force and are becoming independent and self-sufficient. The government has been showcasing several new initiatives in terms of enrolling female fighter pilots to enrolling women in the Force to encourage women.
Seeing all the discussions and the debates, we believe that not all hopes are lost. The government, however, has to make some tough laws against the culprits of violence against women. But there is no doubt that there is a long way to go on this road. The position of women in our society is not satisfactory.