CRIMES AGAINST WOMAN: NAKED REALITIES

Ancient writings reveals that status of woman was that of a Goddess, in different parts of the world before conquer and conquest conceptualized. When civilizations flourished and male dominance emerged through war and conflicts, woman, out of distress, seems to have become more dependant and dormant in her roles of life. But it is astonishing to know that many woman of 21st century, though being educated and enlightened, suffers and sacrifices her ‘self’ and ‘substance’ for others around her. This is not from a feminists view. This is reality. Subordination of woman to men in society has been a phenomenon that has been deeply rooted in our social and cultural setup. But when a woman’s love, purity and tolerance are misunderstood as weakness and is exploited in disguise of dominance & authority, it is lethal and prejudicial. Setting aside all brutal instances of female infanticide, child rape and abuses and stepping on to the phase when a female enters womanhood, we see that she faces the evil eyes of society. Starting off with dirty looks, filthy comments, physical encroachments and harassments, woman are being subject to crimes every day right in front of our eyes & this isn’t a wild story.

Crimes of Honour and Crimes of Passion are mainly the categories of crimes against woman, either with premeditation (dolus premeditates) or without intention (dolus repentinus). “Honour crimes” are those which directly and indirectly interfere with a woman’s integrity, individuality and self respect. It includes Assaults, Harassments, Mental Abuses, Physical Torture, Kidnapping and Abduction, Forced prostitution, Abetment to Suicide, Dowry Demands, Discrimination and Inequality, Denial of Educational Rights, Molestation, Rape, Battering, Defamation, Virginity Testing, Forced Marriages, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, the compulsions and threats in the name of relationships to uphold the status of family, taboos as to the right to choose her spouse, seek divorce from an unsuccessful marriage, restrictions as to freedom of movement, ethos as to sexual conducts, etc.

“Crimes of passion” are crimes, which are linked to a ‘love-relationship’ between the perpetrator and the victim, for example between an (ex) husband and (ex)wife or between (ex) lovers and the crime is not perpetrated to defend the family honour, but the “conjugal honour” or the honour of an individual man, or for reasons related to jealousy and frustration. ‘Perpetrators’ of injustice against woman need not always be strangers, it can be brothers, sons, father, uncles, nephews, husband, neighbor, colleague, boy friend or ex-lovers, which even includes mother, sister and sister in laws of a woman. If you consider that this topic is alien to you, then check out the statistic reports published by media, which would reveal that over 32,000 murders, 19,000 rapes, 7500 dowry deaths and 36500 molestation cases were reported as crimes against woman in India in just one year. Unreported instances of domestic violence and sexual harassments run on multiple folds. If you can identify and help someone whom you feel is a victim of such violence, with your words & support as a friend, it would SAVE a life and would be a noble deed. And if you are a perpetrator yourself, STOP doing it, because you have NO RIGHT to take away someone’s life & liberty.

Sexual harassment and rape are two sides of the same coin. Both showcase the power of man to dominate a woman. Both have one victim- ‘women’. Both are barbaric in nature; but many people extenuate sexual harassment to rape, just because the victims are not physically harmed, whereas in rape, the victim is ravished like an animal for the fulfillment of desire and lust of a man. Both have the same object and impact- undermine the integrity of the victim, physically as well as mentally. As observed by Justice Arjit Pasayat (Supreme Court of India): "While a murderer destroys the physical frame of the victim, a rapist degrades and defiles the soul of a helpless female."

Trafficking in woman continues over years because they are many times considered as ‘commodities that can be essentially used and reused’ by the perpetrators of various crimes. Many females in our society are lured, deceived, kidnapped or tricked into prostitution irrespective of rural and metro geographic barriers. Trafficker’s takes advantage of poverty levels and innocence of many rural women and recruits them to sex trade, debt bondage, forced labour etc. In urban society, shockingly, educated girl’s fall into traps of sex rackets of fake movie/video makers, virtual defrauders etc. in their desire to become celebrities and to have better life; but finally ending up life in brothels as destitute. Sex trafficking is fueling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and continues to decimate the female population. The economic benefit provided by sex trade is not only to many of the so called perpetrators, but also to various corrupted officials and in promotion of businesses sectors like hotels, airliners, tour operations, porn movie making and website publicity.

Being a Woman is a challenge. Females are considered to be the weaker sex and so most of the times they are subjected to exploitation and oppression. Many females who live on Earth lead downtrodden, suppressed, subjugated, unhappy and compromised life. A real woman is the one who raises her voice against the injustice that is being done to her person and property. Women have the right to physical and mental integrity, the right to life and liberty as that of men. If you are a Woman in distress, please do understand that if you don’t speak for yourself, nobody will do it for you. And it is your primarily responsibility to take care of your health, education and individuality to keep up your self-respect and integrity. Never compromise on your existence.

If ever you feel suffocated and under threat of life, trust your instincts and walk out of the place and/or relationship. A woman’s inner self never betrays her. Trust yourself. Keep your mind alert and be willing to accept changes with a strong will-power. Seek help from family, friends, police and courts without hesitation. There are ample laws, simple procedures and strong jurisprudence which protect a woman from perpetrators of any crime that affects her mental and physical well being. After all, family as well as law & order are meant to protect social well being. If no one helps, HELP YOURSELF AND BE BOLD TO FACE LIFE.

FOOTNOTE: Never consider loss of a woman’s life as an insignificant loss to society; because any family/ society/ country which disrespect womanhood hardly survive in peace & prosperity. To bring some change in attitude and approach towards woman in the contemporary and future society, it is YOU who have to take the first move. In ANY relationship, there is NOTHING that can be gained out of VIOLENCE & CRUELTY. Let that be Men or Women, be Humane & behave like civilized rational human beings and not animals; after all there is only ONE LIFE about which we are GURANTEED.