On 26th May, 2014 when the PM and his
cabinet took their oath of office, 6 out of the 23 minister inducted in the
cabinet interestingly happened to be women. This accounted for a significant
quarter of a share of the cabinet. In addition to the substantial share, these
ladies have been given relatively important and powerful portfolios like
Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Human Resource Development etc. This
in no doubt is a commendable move by the government in the direction of
empowering our women. But the question which still persists: Whether the
presence of these women in the government will usher in any change in the
ignominious condition of millions of women in this nation?
Women in the Indian society have been victims of
humiliation, torture, exploitation for as long as we have written records of
social organization. She is throttled to death for giving birth to a girl,
immolated for dowry, exploited by the satanic lusts of men and subjected to
countless other savageries. Hearing lewd comments and even enduring lecherous contacts
of even her relatives are a matter of routine for her. She faces all the
brutalities with none to hear her wail. According to the Delhi Police this year from 1st
January to 30th April, an average of 6 and 14 cases of sexual
harassment and molestation were registered daily. Compared to the previous
year, the increment is of 32%.
The police claims most of the cases of rapes have
been solved with the culprit convicted, the government claims that strict laws
have been enacted, statistics say that education and economic independence of
women is rising. In-spite of these tall and innumerable claims atrocities
against women still multiply alarmingly.
We need a holistic and radical approach to secure
our women. Every individual, family, society should take the onus of
safeguarding the rights of women instead of passing the buck to the government
and police. Every act that breaches women’s security should be incriminated by
us. The offender should be convicted by the society even before law. Instead of
the victim, he should feel ashamed of facing the society. Families should
instill in their children with moral values, ethics, culture and a good social
behavior towards women.
The government on their part should begin with
taking concrete steps to preserve the rights, honor, and dignity of every
woman. This should include scrapping of old and ineffective laws, passing firm
and stringent laws, setting up fast track courts to expedite the protracted
judicial process, making the police more accountable. Exemplary, quick and deterrent punishments should be meted out to the guilty to develop fear and
terror in the minds of everyone who sees women as an object to be used. The
government should exercise a degree of control and censorship over the media to
curb the commodification of women through the display of voluptuous and vulgar
videos. These measures should implemented swiftly and seriously.
As far as the ladies in the cabinet are
concerned, they have a greater responsibility of living up to the expectations
of women in this country. Hope with the collective effort of we individuals,
they make a better, healthier and secure nation for women.
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