2. Introduction
Four of the main processes that could lead to women's empowerment, as
defined by the IFAD evaluation, were:
changes in women's mobility and social interaction;
changes in women's labour patterns;
changes in women's access to and control over resources; and
changes in women's control over decision-making.
The changes we propose in the current system would lead to women
empowerment as it would meet the above mentioned criteria.
3. Problem Statement
Lacunas in the Indian Context
Jurisdiction Problems
Loss of Evidence
Fear of lodging official complaints
Patriarchal Society
Technically Challenged Law Enforcement
Agencies
Lack of female officers
Weak legal system to combat crimes against
women
Improper learning
Loopholes in the existing
system
Obscenity-personal viewing-is not an offence.
Lack of police patrolling in less populated
areas
No mention of cyber stalking, morphing and
email spoofing as offences
No awareness among women where to file a
complaint or how to file a case in India.
Rural women are unaware. A high
percentage of population in India still resides
in villages. They are highly vulnerable to crimes
4. Capacity Building
Hiring New Talent Pool
Women should be the target audience for the purpose of hire. It serves two purposes:
• Decision making would be sensitized to the issue of lack of security.
• The importance of women in the society would be highlighted
Technological Upgradation
The challenges are posed because the equipments of the investigating agencies are
worn out and require modernisation and replacing.
Compulsory Education to Girls in Schools
Education, not literacy should be the target of the system. Girls must be given
knowledge about technological advancements and its nuances at an early stage.
5. Set up a Women’s Crime Cell
Purpose
Existing divisions of the police force for crimes against
women and children have failed to deliver quick justice.
Importance:
Most women are afraid to lodge complaints due to
society pressure or fear for their life
Methodology
Ensuring anonymity/non-disclosure and at the same time
have the cell headed by a senior female officer
Monitoring
Regular checks on functioning of Cell by conducting
Simulations and Mock Drills from time to time.
Aim
Increasing the number of cases that are actually
registered with the authorities concerned.
Punishment
The crimes must be seen in a serious light and the existing
laws must be made stringent and the punishment
increased.
Presence
1) Online – Creating a web based portal
2) Physical – A room in major police stations of cities and
towns
Focus:
Cyber crime against women to be given special
importance
6. Social Initiatives
Following the Ideology of the Vedas
Restoring the position of the women in the society, by inviting the youth to participate in debates, which
could be telecasted to a wider audience.
Encourage people to spread the message
What needs to change is the mind set of the society and not merely providing security measures indefinitely.
This can be done through social networking sites, as well as initiatives by the government like marathons,
candle marches, etc.
Advertising
This issue needs to be excessively advertised.
Advertisements can involve messages related to moral policing.
Actively Engaging the Press
The media is an important tool in the society, which would further communicate the need. This would lead
to healthy debates among the people of the country, and would help generate further ideas.
7. Bringing about a Change
Implementing ideas from other countries with lower crime rates. India has
among the highest rates of crimes against women.
Providing self defence training to women in colleges and corporates.
Implementation of government policies to encourage women to join the
decision making process. Having women hold chief positions in the IAS, IPS etc.
will not only ensure women sensitive decisions but at the same time encourage
more women to be a part of the system.
Educating women in rural India and encouraging them to report any crimes
against the women population.
Changes in the legal system are essential. In India people capable of rape and
murder have escaped justice at the pretext of being below the age of 18.
8. A new act needs to be introduced in the parliament focusing on women
centric issues.
It should encompass stringent laws for sexual assault, cyber crime, eve
teasing etc.
Instead of focusing on reservations based on casts, the government needs
to implement greater reservation for women bringing both men and
women at par.
The government needs to introduce vehicles for women to travel at night
which should be recorded and tracked.
9. Challenges
Social
Increasing punishment may call for
criticism
Lack of initiative by the people
Economic
Huge amount of resources involved
Political
Non acceptance by the patriarchal
leadership of the country
Legal
Time consuming procedure for laws
Jurisdiction will still pose problems
Technological
Imparting know-how
Equipment procurement
10. According to a global poll conducted by Thomson Reuters, India is the "fourth most dangerous
country" in the world for women, and the worst country for women among the G20 countries.
