Crimes Against Women And Child Visa

National Crime Record Bureau report shows a stark increase in violence against women in India in the forms of dowry deaths, acts of sexual harassment, torture, rapes, and domestic violence.

Violence against Women

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Violence against women is a social, economic, developmental, legal, educational, human right, and health (physical and mental) issue.
It is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women.

Violence against women occurs throughout the life cycle from birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood to old age.

Also Read: POCSO Act

Key facts

Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.
Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one-third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner.
Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings.
Violence against women is preventable. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence and as an entry point for referring women to other support services they may need.

Impact on children

Children who grow up in families where there is violence may suffer a range of behavioral and emotional disturbances. These can also be associated with perpetrating or experiencing violence later in life.
Intimate partner violence has also been associated with higher rates of infant and child mortality and morbidity (through, for example diarrhoeal disease or malnutrition and lower immunization rates).

Consequences

The consequences of violence against women are:

Health Consequences

Sexual and intimate partner violence can have substantial short- and long-term effects on a woman’s physical, emotional, sexual, and reproductive health.
For women, their families, and societies as a whole, this violence has significant social and financial consequences.

Also Read: The Indian Law on sexual harassment in the Workplace

Role of the health sector

While preventing and responding to violence against women requires a multi-sectoral approach, the health sector has an important role to play. The health sector can:

Advocate to make violence against women unacceptable and for such violence to be addressed as a public health problem.
Provide comprehensive services, sensitize and train health care providers in responding to the needs of survivors holistically and empathetically.
Prevent the recurrence of violence through early identification of women and children who are experiencing violence and providing appropriate referral and support
Promote egalitarian gender norms as part of life skills and comprehensive sexuality education curricula taught to young people.
Generate evidence on what works and on the magnitude of the problem by carrying out population-based surveys, or including violence against women in population-based demographic and health surveys, as well as in surveillance and health information systems

Social and economic costs

The social and economic costs of intimate partner and sexual violence are enormous and have ripple effects throughout society. Women may suffer isolation, inability to work, loss of wages, lack of participation in regular activities and limited ability to care for themselves and their children

Also Read: Gandhian Strategy for Conflict Resolution

Way forward

The way forward in addressing violence and crime against women involves a multifaceted approach that encompasses various aspects. Here are some key elements to consider:

Legal Reforms:

Implement and enforce laws that protect women’s rights, address violence against women, and ensure swift and fair justice for survivors. This includes criminalizing all forms of violence, strengthening laws related to sexual assault and harassment, and eliminating legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to escape punishment.

Awareness and Education:

Promote gender equality and respect through comprehensive education programs that challenge harmful stereotypes, promote healthy relationships, and teach consent and bystander intervention. It is crucial to educate individuals of all genders about women’s rights and the importance of creating a safe and inclusive society.

Support Services:

Establish and strengthen support services for survivors, including shelters, helplines, counseling, and legal aid. Ensure these services are easily accessible, adequately funded, and staffed by trained professionals who can provide empathetic and effective support.

Empowerment and Economic Independence:

Promote women’s empowerment and economic independence through vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to finance. When women have economic resources and are empowered, they can better protect themselves and make choices that enhance their safety and well-being.

Engaging Men and Boys:

Encourage the involvement of men and boys as allies in addressing violence against women. Promote positive masculinity and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate violence. Engaging men and boys in discussions, workshops, and awareness campaigns can help create a more inclusive and respectful society.

Data Collection and Research:

Improve data collection and research on violence against women to understand the extent of the problem, identify trends, and inform evidence-based policies and interventions. This includes tracking incidents, studying root causes, and evaluating the effectiveness of implemented measures.

International Cooperation:

Foster international cooperation and collaboration to combat violence against women. Share best practices, exchange knowledge, and support initiatives that promote women’s safety and well-being globally.

It is important to note that addressing violence and crime against women requires sustained efforts, commitment, and collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals. By adopting a comprehensive approach, we can work towards creating a society where women can live free from violence and discrimination.

Also Read: A Sustainable Model for Women’s Leadership