Women Safety : India the most dangerous country? Not really

India Most Dangerous Country For Women?

Few days back, the report published by Thomson Reuters Foundation survey declaring India as the most unsafe country for the women came as a disturbing news to me. After spending 3 decades in India, that doesn’t sounds a truth backed by the actual facts. Even war torn & Islamic “terrorist-laden” countries like Iran , Afghanistan, Pakistan , Syria were ranked better than India. Women Safety is prime, but we need to focus on root level now.

Certainly there are some issues with the authenticity of report, could be the sample size was small or the respondent base was not diversified. Also population of India is much higher than other countries listed out so the ratio could be easily biased. So, it casts doubt on the findings of the report and unfortunately being an Indian citizen I really don’t’ want to accept these facts.

But for a moment, let’s put aside the report, close our eyes, tickle up our gray matters and think broadly as to how many rape, sexual harassment cases have have noticed in the newspapers / TV news/Social media in last few days. Right from Kathua, Unnao, Surat, Manipur, Delhi the common denominator has been “Women”. And its getting more disturbing when it is drifting towards “minors” now who don’t even understand the meaning of these terminologies.

Even Social Media has given a way to increase it, so many trolling campaigns are going rampant. Trolls don’t even think before issuing threatening and using abusive language on women posts, and target even to the topmost women leaders in country. Isn’t that a melancholic state of a liberal country?

The real issues of India

Since Independence, every Political party manifesto has highlighted four issues :

• Women Safety
• Poverty alleviation
• Education for all
• Affordable Healthcare for all

While we have made some progress on 3 issues, the foremost one has been transformed into a gigantic black hole. Numerous talks, ample committees, protests, marches have been the focus from last couple of years, but still such news is increasing. Is something really making a difference, or the strategies by our leaders really working on the mass levels?

If our leaders think that condemning those on “Social Media” or launching various apps / helpline to report crime is enough then it’s time to change those leaders. On personal note over the years I understood that these things cannot change overnight, but probably there is still something un-catered towards Women Safety aspect.

A women’s lookout for the Safety of Indian women :

Recently I had a chance to attend a CII conference over Women Safety which had incredible speakers from Judicial, Police and the CII wing as well. Some inferences which I, as a women feel needs more of focus are :

1. Indulge in the term “RESPECT FOR WOMEN “right from grass root level of primary education. It is the duty of every parent to act and teach their kids that women/girls are not the weaker side of the coin but they are the strongest link, who bind everyone. These topics needs to be a mandatory part of schools and college curriculums. We need to teach “boys”, “Men” how to see a girl and a women!

2. Abolish the concept of single sex schools, even in the government ones. Women are treated as “objects” for growing boys and teenagers. Hence, their perception needs to be changed right from a preschool.

3. Right exposure at home : Why will only a women be designated for cooking in the kitchen? Kids need to know that every work on this planet can be done by both the genders and in an equal manner. This will ensure no bias-ness or introduction of gender based roles in the young minds.

4. More women on the roads : I rarely see a women guard in the park and these parks are actually haunted by men in the evening and during night, which obstructs a lone women from entering them. More women guards will allow more of women to show up in the public places and more men will become comfortable seeing women. More women street vendors need to come up.

5. Awareness : If you ask a student about the Sexual harassment act or about an ICC at their universities, what % do you think would know about these implementations? Laws are there but we really lack on the implementation and awareness level. There is a need for mandatory training for every women in this country wrt laws, help we can get and about the women rights.

6. Juvenile? So what? A crime is a crime, be it a 15 year old teenager or a 50 year old. We need to rephrase juvenile laws and remedial measures really needs to be looked upon.

What’s the future?

This issue and more so now this report, is not the one which is only hurting our sentiments but this will even impact our economy as well. International tourist’s or workforce will avoid India as a place to venture out. Even right now when countries and embassy’s issue travel advisories for India, it shows how they look towards Indian conditions, which is really painful being an Indian.

Its time for the Governance, Policy makers, Parents and kids to wake up to this alarming situation jointly and take a swift action before things run out of time. It is a time, we the common men and women of the country stand up to say “ENOUGH is ENOUGH” and have another revolution. May be there is still some time left or I think the time is already over, just waiting for one to torch the baton .

There are so many arduous thoughts running in the mind of this Indian women, this post will remain unfinished and the so does the anger.

India is not that unsafe as projected upon, but we need to show up that we are 100% safe country. Indian’s, share up your thoughts in the comments section, the small things which will create an impactful start for us.

Till Then,

Let’s live with a clean soul!