As a part of Social Sciences curriculum, we recently discussed ‘Understanding laws’ in class. I was intrigued by the process of Legislation, formulation of laws and functioning of the legal system which gave me a perspective of evolution of international law and regulations over the years.
I delved into details of the civil rights movement in America, the first time women fought a closely knit system and justly demanded an equal right to vote.
I read in great detail about the undignified and unjust treatment meted out to women in India even in the early 20th century. Post-Independence, Indian judiciary put several laws into action to protect women, at least in the eyes of law, if not in society.
No one is above the law and regardless of gender, caste or race, all laws apply equally to all citizens. These powerful words are the key to creating a dynamic and vibrant sovereign nation.
Statistics from the government records reveal that almost 80% of women in India have suffered as victims of domestic violence at the hands of male family members. This is a major violation of women and human rights. It not only affects their physical health but is detrimental to their mental state. Many of these victims abandon hope, become pessimistic, develop anxiety and eating disorders amongst other trauma.
The act ‘Protection of Women from Domestic Violence’ was brought into effect just recently in 2005. In my opinion, this act has failed to be effective. I believe that it would take social and cultural change in the society at large rather than the law to clean up such practices.
It astonishes me that cruelty in the form of physical violence can be an ignored in a civilized society in the 2ist century.
Daughters are seen as a burden to the family’s financial responsibility. On looking around closely at some real life examples, I observed, that the poorest of families would have five girl children, only in the hope that the next child born would be a boy following which their troubles would disappear magically and they would be a ‘worthy’ family once again.
Recently during the covid lockdown, newspaper statistics reported manifold increase in calls of domestic violence on emergency hotlines. Such news came as a disappointment to me.
I hope to bring about a change in this gender insensitive society and create a more respectful, calmer world in future.