Lalit Garg
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November 2020)
Not only in India, incidents of increasing violence, are exploitation, insecurity and oppression on women around the world a serious problem. The United Nations is celebrating 25 November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.On this day; several programs are organized underlining the need to make more efforts to stop violence against women. Women's groups and organizations are undertaking various initiatives to bring about the worrisome situation in the society of women and consequently, the ill effects on the physical, mental and psychological health of women.
On November 25, 1960, three sisters, Patria Mercedes Mirabail, Maria Argentina Minerva Mirabail and Antonia Maria Teresa Mirabail, were brutally murdered in 1960 on the orders of political activist Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930–1961). These three sisters strongly opposed Trujillo's dictatorship. Supporters and activists of women's rights have celebrated this day since 1981 as a commemoration of the death of these three sisters. On 17 December 1999, it was unanimously decided in the United Nations General Assembly that 25 November would be celebrated as the International day for the Elimination of violence against Women.
Along with development in the country and the world, instead of stopping violent thinking towards women, new forms are coming out. To overcome this violent social thinking and ideology, International Women's Violence-Elimination Day is a day associated with the existence and identity of women, which conveys the message of consciousness of responsibility, a call to develop a new civilized and decent thinking towards women. This day keeps watch on the places where there are possibilities of deviation and violence of life ideals, it holds the aspirations which have a very violent pace but which shows the wild race of the society without purpose. Among the objectives of celebrating this day, there is also a resolve to control the increasing violence towards women. This day is a unique means of making women powerful, progressive and cultural.
It It is estimated that 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical and sexual violence at some point in their lives by a non-partner. However, some national studies suggest that 70 percent of women have experienced physical and sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Adult women account for 51 percent of all human trafficking victims worldwide. One in 10 women in the EU report has experienced cyber-harassment since the age of 15. The risk is highest among young women between the ages of 18 and 29. Violence against women is a global epidemic. 70 percent of women experience violence during their lifetime. In the Rajasthan province of India, there has been a terrible mentality of giving respect to the girl child as soon as it is born.
With some contemplation, we learn that sexual harassment, torture, molestation, prostitution, coercion against women, buying and selling women and girls, violent behaviour arising out of war and gruesome torture in prisons still continues against women and is increasing rather than decreasing.
Today it is necessary to discuss the women of the society suffering from violence and oppression. It is unfortunate if there is shadow of oppression, exploitation, discrimination and oppression of women in developed and developing countries. Minorities and women belonging to the core communities of the respective countries worldwide are subjected to rape, molestation, harassment and murder due to their caste, religion and original identity. Minority Rights Group International, in its annual report titled 'The condition of minorities and Native peoples of the world', describes how women of minority and parent communities are more vulnerable to violence around the world, whether it is a period of conflict or a period of peace.
Mark Latimer, the executive director of the organization, said that women face the brunt of physical violence under discrimination against minorities worldwide. This situation is also frightening in the context of India. Even though the Indian government is currently doing commendable work for the empowerment of women under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in its modern era, not only thousands of minorities but ordinary women are far from their rights. The government may have devised hundreds of schemes for the upliftment of women, but the lack of education and awareness among the women is still missing. Unaware of their duties and rights, the world of women has been confined to the stove.
The women of the tribal communities in India are oblivious to their rights and their life is like a tragedy even today.Like ordinary women and young women, women of minority society are also getting acid attacks, then there are frequent murders-rapes and search-dowry harassment incidents. There is occasional noise on these incidents, people protest, the media is active but why do not take the name of reducing crime. We see that the Indian leadership has increased the will power but ironically, there is no resentment or desire for change in this situation among the common citizens about the atrocities on women. They are advocates of male supremacy by nature and convinced of the feudal state of mind. Then how is it possible to solve this problem?
Sexual harassment of women continues in our country and society, but it will only be said that the government, administration, courts, society and social institutions have not been able to reduce this malpractices even after media and strict laws have been made. . Women from every corner of the country are raped, sexually abused, burnt for dowry, physical and mental torture and women are heard of news of horse-trading. The atrocities on women cannot be controlled by merely bringing women into minority circles. Because the root of female oppression, female reproach and woman being considered low and is found in our ancient theologies, our customs, rites and religious texts and religious stories.
The mentality of considering a woman as small and second-class has seeped into the background of Indian society. The real question is to change this mind-set. Over the years, the tendency to hide crime and to fear criminals has started to wane. Be it from the movements like Me too or the laws made after the Nirbhaya incident. Therefore, such crimes are not completely correct, but still quite a lot. The unjust does injustice until it is endured. A fundamental change in the justice system and mind-set is also needed to instil this belief among women. People in the country are not fully aware of the rights of women and it is not followed with full sincerity and will. Despite all the claims of women empowerment, women are far from their real rights. They have to understand that the accident does not choose the person and the time and they have no fault in everything.