Tackling crimes against women and children requires broader social reforms, sustained governance efforts and strengthening investigative and reporting mechanisms, instead of merely enhancing punishment.? Discuss?

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most oppressive forms of gender inequality and stands as a fundamental barrier to equal participation of women and men in social, economic, and political spheres. Such violence impedes gender equality and the achievement of a range of development outcomes. 

Status in India :

Crime rate in the country, or crimes registered per lakh population, went up marginally to 385.5 in 2019 as compared to 383.5 in 2018, with crimes against women and children showing a 7.3% and 4.5% rise respectively, offences against human body up 1% and cyber crimes witnessing a 63.5% spike. A total of 51.56 lakh cognizable crimes comprising 32.25 lakh Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes and 19.3 lakh Special & Local Laws (SLL) crimes were registered in 2019. This marks an increase of 1.6% in registration of cases over 2018, as per the National Crime Records Bureau report on Crime in India.

During 2019, registration of cases under IPC went up by 3% whereas SLL crimes declined by 0.6% in comparison to 2018. Percentage share of IPC crimes in total cognisable crimes last year was 62.6% while share of SLL cases was 37.4%.

Government sources said 1.6% increase in overall crimes should not be seen as alarming as it can also be attributed to better reporting, higher rate of literacy, greater awareness levels, better law enforcement mechanism, ease of access to police stations and better facilities for registration of cases. “In recent times, several laws have been introduced and amendments made in existing laws to cover the entire ambit of crime in society. The wider coverage of crime has also contributed to increase in number of crimes reported.  

Reforms taken by Government  in tackling crime against women and Girls are as follows :

Legislative reforms :

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005’, ‘The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961’, ‘The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986’, ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013’, and ‘The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006’. The Ministry is also administering ‘The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015’, ‘The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005’ and ‘The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’

Adminstrative reforms :

In order to coordinate various initiatives for safety of women, a separate Women Safety Division has been set up in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences” to monitor and track time-bound investigation in sexual assault cases in accordance with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018.

Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), which provides a single emergency number (112)

The National Policy to bring about the advancement, development and empowerment of women through a process of change in societal attitudes towards them

Governance reforms :

One Stop Centre’ for violence affected women, the Scheme of ‘Universalisation of Women Helpline’ and the Scheme of ‘Mahila Police Volunteers’ under Nirbhaya Fund Framework. 

smart policing and safety management, Safe City Projects have been sanctioned in phase-I in 8 cities (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai) under Nirbhaya Fund

Regulation reforms :

MHA has issued advisories from time to time with a view to help the States/UTs to deal with crimes against women. 

A cyber-crime portal has been launched on 20^th September 2018 for citizens to report abscene content

redressal of grievances through interventions of National and State Commissions for Women.

Financial reforms :

The Government of India has set up a non-lapsable corpus Nirbhaya Fund for enhancing safety and security of women. 

grant-in-aid schemes providing assistance for rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked victims as well as prevention through special schemes in source areas of trafficking

Copoerative reforms :

In order to coordinate various initiatives for safety of women, a separate Women Safety Division has been set up in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Corprate Social responsibility refroms :

Creating Awareness among employees, workshop, one stop solution, mandeting women safety in all private working organisation. 

Judiciary reforms :

• setting up of Fast Track Courts.

• setting up of Family Courts.

• appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers and notification of Rules under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 

Saftey of women is safety of nation, which bring pride of the nation which gives inclisivity in political social and economy which leads to development and growth