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A HISTORY OF CRIMES RELATED TO WOMEN FROM THE PAST 50 YEARS- HOW HAS SOCIETY REACTED?

Between 1st of January till the end of 2021 of the 6 millions of cases reported 4 million are ones which involves with crime against female sex.[1] While it’s a far-existent fact that fundamental human right violation is dedicated in opposition towards men as well as women their effect differs simply relying upon the sex of the victim. It would be true to say that violation or cruelty is experienced by women of every age and social class, all races, religions, and nationalities, throughout the arena.

Brutality in opposition to women is a manifestation of the traditionally unequal strength relations between men and women that have caused domination over and discrimination against women and thus causing a hindrance towards their full-fledged. In each and every society factors like poverty, discrimination, lack of awareness and social unrest are the common predictors for brutality towards women. Yet, to boot, cultural forces are the biggest facet enemy of women’s dignity and security which is aimed towards male dominance and female subjugation; frequently defended within the call of a venerable tradition.[2]

Brutality towards the female sex throughout this life cycle mainly derives from the cultural pattern: the dangerous outcomes of sure conventional or normal practices and all acts of extremism related to race, sex, language, or faith that perpetuate the decreased reputation accorded to women within the family, the workplace, the network, and society. In developing countries that have yet to accept new norms as part of their decades-old culture brutality in opposition of the female sex is frequently identified and defended as strands of the cultural weave.[3] The act of a husband to conquer or bodily intimidate his spouse is a deeply held conviction in lots of societies. Even women frequently view a sure quantity of bodily abuse as justified beneath sure conditions. Justification for violence stems from gender norms - distorted perspectives of the jobs and duties of men and women in relationships. [4]

Freedom and protection from the hazard of harassment, battering, and sexual attack is such a vocation that many women have a tough time not only wanting it but even imagining the same because of the fact that brutality toward the female sex is woven into the cloth of society to the such quantity that many women who are victimized sense that they are at fault.[5] The worry of violence is a permanent constraint on the mobility of women and binds their born right of entry to different places and primary activities.

There is a whooping raise of 26.35% in the crime rate against women in the last 6 years. Majority of the crime reported in 2021 were of kidnappings and abduction, rapes, domestic violence, dowry deaths, and assaults on women with 107 females attacked with acid, 1580 trafficked and 15 women sold. [6]

However, with the coming of new age and era and with the increasing awareness in the youth of the new generation many laws and policies which safeguard and promote women's welfare have been vacated and established. Even the constitution of India promotes equality and welfare for women's rights. Article 14[7] of the constitution which talks about equality states that; differences in treatment among males and females with the aid of using the nation are definitely prohibited on the grounds of religion race, caste, sex, or area of birth.[8] Article 21[9]The constitution also states about the right to stay with human dignity.

As a preventive measure, The Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA) 1961[10] states; giving, taking, or abetting the giving or taking of dowry is an offense that is punishable. The act also states that. where the demise of a female is as a result of any burns or physical harm or takes place in any other case then below everyday circumstances, within 7 years of marriage, and if proven that quickly earlier than her demise, she was subjected to cruelty or harassment through her husband or any relative of her husband for or in reference to any call for of dowry, such demise will be called “dowry death” and such husband or relative will be deemed to have brought on her demise shall be prosecuted under (IPC 304-B)[11] 113-B Indian Evidence Act, 1872[12], under the presumption as to dowry death. Also if any individual commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide will be punished with imprisonment of both descriptions for a time period which may also expand to ten years, and shall additionally be accountable for a fine (306 IPC)[13].

113-A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872[14], pertains to the presumption as to abetment of suicide. The offenses of dowry and abetment of suicide are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

Even activities such as rape (375 IPC)[15] Causing miscarriage (312 IPC)[16], inflicting miscarriage without female's consent (313 IPC)[17], and demise as a result of an act are covered under the Indian Penal code to protect and safeguard the interest of the women.

Violent behavior of individuals toward the female sex is mainly driven by cultural and social norm present, thus efforts should be made to recollect how these cultural and social pressure impact men's and women's behavior. Interventions that try to modify cultural and social norms to save women from violence are most widespread and prominent. While it's far tougher to confirm the effectiveness of legal guidelines and rules in converting social attitudes, regulations that are enforced can ship clean messages to society that violent behavior isn't always acceptable.


-- [1] Geeta Pandey BBC News, Delhi Rising crimes against Indian women in five charts 13 September 2022 [2] Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 20 December 1993 General Assembly resolution 48/104 [3] World Health Organization Violence against women Definition and scope of the problem, 105 (2019) [4] Ibid. [5] Rof. Laura Verdelli crime against women an Indian scenario 23 [6] Geeta Pandey BBC News, Delhi Rising crimes against Indian women in five charts 13 September 2022 [7] Constitution of India, Article 14 Acts of parliament 1949 [8] Das PK, editor. Delhi (India): Universal Law Book Publishing Co. Pvt Ltd; 2007. The Constitution of India (Relevant Provisions) p. 115. [9] Constitution of India, Article 21 Acts of parliament 1949 [10] The Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA) 1961 Act of parliament 1961 [11] Indian Penal Code 1860 article 304-B Act of parliament 1860 [12] Indian Evidence Act 1872 article 113-B Act of parliament 1872 [13] Indian Penal Code 1860 article 306 Act of parliament 1860 [14] Indian Evidence Act 1872 article 113-A Act of parliament 1872 [15] Indian Penal Code 1860 article 375 Act of parliament 1860 [16] Indian Penal Code 1860 article 312 Act of parliament 1860 [17] Indian Penal Code 1860 article 313 Act of parliament 1860



This article is written by Maanavi Gupta of UPES.

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