CRIME AGAINST WOMEN

Crimes against women are increasing at an alarming rate. Some common forms of violence against women are rape, dowry death, female infanticide, forced child marriage, abduction and cases of acid throwing on women.

Women are not safe in public spaces, but that does not mean that they are safe in their private spaces. Various cases of domestic violence such as marital rape, dowry deaths, mental torture, bride burning and female infanticide are reported daily.

Violence ranging from eve- teasing to murder of women is taking place daily. But a very few number cases are reported and only a small percentage of those accused get punished. Gender roles in society are directions about how one is supposed to speak, behave and dress according to their sex.

Distinct gender roles are one major reason for violence against women. Our society has long been dominated by these gender norms and relationships. Even now we are expected to behave and act according to our prescribed roles. Society believes that this is the correct way and it must go on. Women are expected to have feminine traits such as sensitivity, dependency, being submissive, homeoriented, passive, gentle and emotional. While men are expected to masculine traits such as aggressiveness, someone less sensitive.

This gender-based stereotyping has proved to be harmful because it motivates them to oppress the ones who do not act according to these gender roles. Gender identities, whether they belong to a man or women are immaterial in today civilized society. Adolescence plays a significant role in shaping gender norms.

Gender roles are societal constructs that have grown over time and are not based on inherently feminine or masculine traits. Some might argue that since traditional gender roles have been followed for such a long time and are still important for human growth, they should not be modified.

Traditional gender roles, however, are no longer necessary in many modern communities because both men and women can perform the majority of the same essential activities, making gender-specific behaviors obsolete. Gender norms legitimize and defend gender inequality and violence against women. Research has indicated that women who live in regions with the most unequal gender norms are most likely to be victimized by violence. To possibly stop violence against women and girls, effective methods must be developed and put into practice.

Despite several legislations and steps taken for women safety and equality, there are several instances of violence and crimes against women. Alcohol has constantly emerged as a cause of domestic violence. There are various instances where husbands show violence behavior towards their partner after the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is seen as a way to relieve one work pressure or life stress, but it is ultimately seen as a factor for violence or other forms of sexual assault against women, where cases like Manu Sharma and Nirbhaya are evidence to prove that alcohol was the common factor that caused violence against women.

Traditional and cultural practices are another cause of violence against women. Age-old practice like Sati Pratha, Child marriage and Honor killings are seen as example of such.

Even while domestic violence has long been a problem in Indian society, the COVID-19 Pandemic saw an alarming increase in its incidence. Due to the widespread coronavirus, people were confined to their homes and were unable to go outside, due to strict lockdown procedures. It led to mental health issues and a high rise in domestic violence cases. Many victims were even unable to register any cases and were unable to leave the place where the violence occurred.

CONCLUSION

There must be more awareness about the root causes of the violence against women. Equal rights for men and women must be a topic of initial education for both sexes. Women should be encouraged more to speak up or raise their voices against violence.

Ongoing cyber crimes which exploit women must be reported immediately and offenders must not go unpunished. The present status of women must be kept in a mind and a gender-egalitarian society must be created to shatter the power- based hierarchy. More effective laws and legislation must be created to make India safer for women.