As we head towards another set of parliamentary elections in 2019, as citizens of the country and as humans, we will have a plethora of expectations from the next government. For me, the most important point is safety. A 2018 survey by Thomson Reuters Foundation claimed that India is world’s most dangerous country when it comes to women’s safety. Ironically, it has left Syria and Afghanistan behind in the run.
Why is our safety so threatened? In a country which claims to celebrate the presence of Goddesses, why am I scared of staying out late at night?We pray to female Goddesses and swear by the name of martyrs like Rani Laxmibai but we do not respect women around us. Leave respect, our safety is also threatened. Lately, the government has taken initiatives for women’s safety. We have safety applications at our disposal. But not all women know about them. I also feel that we are not well aware of laws pertaining to women’s safety.
The multiple rape cases being reported in every corner of the country are very disheartening. The entire nation was in utter dismay after a girl was brutally raped and murdered in the capital in 2012. Candle marches, demonstrations and some political gimmicks of course – all these followed and finally the culprits were punished. But it took a long time.
I simply do not understand the lengthy judicial process for heinous crimes such as this. Why does a woman need to prove that her chastity has been challenged? Maharashtra government recently did a commendable job of declaring virginity test an offence.
As a woman, I demand strict laws pertaining to women safety. Not that any complaint by a woman will always be true. Preliminary investigations should be done, but quickly. Also, there should be only one punishment for harassers – DEATH! Any other punishment, as has been mentioned under Section 376 A of the Indian Penal Code (which calls for minimum punishment in some cases), is not acceptable.
It is always said that we should raise our boys right so that they respect girls around them. Now that we have not done that, let us make some scary laws to keep them in control while we try to raise the next batch of boys properly. I really do not know how important is women’s safety in the agenda of 2019 elections. But I really wish that the government comes up with laws and policies so that I have a safer space to live in. Also, a little initiative to spread awareness about such policies will be welcome.