Rising Rape cases

Recently, NDTV reported that since 1971, there has been ten-fold increase in rape cases in India. So, no one can deny the truth. Is it part of our culture? Is it because of the modernity? Is there any ‘economic’ angle? Is our education system itself to blame?

Knowing reasons behind this unending ordeal is not enough. And no legislations can stop this crime. Is changing mindsets enough? How to change it?

As common men and women, and as future administrators, how will you solve this problem?

Since the NDTV has taken up a comparison of 1971 and 2014, let us look into how society was in 1971 and in 2014. What are the changes that have come to our society over these years. Has the gender gap increased, has pronography fired up ill habits on male population of the country, has society deteriorated and has come under the control of male chauvinist pigs when compared to levels in 1960s, and has globalization failed in its social objective of equality and gender nondiscrimination.

Let us look into a few parameters from 1971 census and 2011 census in India first. Census gives an authentic picture of how society is in its limited dimensions and is highly reliable.

The percentage of educated male : 46%(82.14% in 2011)

The percentage of educated female : 22%(65.46% in 2011)

Urbanization has led to 30% population living in cities with advanced facilities like schools, hospitals, better law enforcement etc

The sex ratio has dropped from 1971 levels due to preference for male child but is up from 2001 level.

Female work participation rate is 25.6%(up from 12.1% in 1971)

Hence it is clear that socially the standards of women and overall country have improved

The Nationl Crime Records Bureau reports cases of rape (IPC 376) and Cases of sexual assault (IPC 353) and finding seems to suggest a rise in such crimes. I completely agree to the fact that number of reported rapes in the country has risen rapidly but the point where i would like to differ is that, the claim of number of actual rapes that occur in the country cannot be concluded as increasing rapidl, rather i stand by the fact that the number of such crime getting reported has increased and those not getting reported has decreased.

Nation have become more aware of the reality of sexual violance. Strong gender movements around the world has strengthened the voice of women who earlier suffered in silence. Role of NGOs that were at nascent state in 1971, National Commission for Women was established only in 1992 to help the women in uplifting them.

The evolution from a patriarchial society where women are considered inferior to man to a modern society where both are considered equal has undergone certain friction from traditional society, but by better laws and proper action from government can control rapes in the country. Rape is the problem of indian society and will undergo only gradual change and has no quick fixes.

It is the duty of its male citizens to stand by their female citizens to overcome the ills such as rape that is  a leftover of our past. More activism and sensitivity is a right step towards controlling rape.

Finally, Blindly following statistical data to project issues should be stopped For if statistics is to be followed blindly, high divorce rates from past may get interpreted as fragmentation of our culture and higher road accidents from 1971 levels may mean deteriration of transport system and safety rules while these are not the cases in real sense

certain solutions to control rape are

1. Better gender sensitization in school and college level

2. removal of traditional mindset of dignity of house linked to women

3. Strong gender laws to act as deterrent

4. Implementation of justice Verma committee report setup post nirbhaya incident.

5. Greater gender equity in police to ease the problems in police station.

6. Community level awareness on gender issues and women empowerment so that the self respect of women in society is regained(rather than being dependent on men) - economic angle of rape can be prevented by this

7. Removing social taboos such as exclusion from village during periods as followed in certain parts of country.

8. Promoting greater interaction with opposite sex rather than considering male and female seperately.

These steps could surely forge ahead to control the menace of rape