Violence affects lives of millions of
women in our country in all socio economic and educational classes. It cuts
across cultural and religious barriers impeding the right of women to
participate fully and contribute effectively in the society.
Violence against women in the society
exists in different forms such as domestic violence, rape, eve teasing, child
marriage, corporal punishment, sexual abuse and female foeticide to name a few.
All are violations of the most fundamental human rights.
To address the widespread violence in our
society it has become imperative to address these issues and advance equality
in society.
Placing Andhra Pradesh in the given
context some alarming figures come to the fore. A.P has been experiencing a
steep rise in crimes against women. It topped the list in crimes against women
during 2010 with 27,244 cases being registered accounting for 12.8% of the
total crime in the country. The data released by National Crime Records Bureau
also pegs A.P. to have highest record of crime against women second time in a
row.
Among crime against women
cruelty by husbands topped the list, followed by molestation, sexual
harassment, kidnapping, rape and immoral trafficking. The offences against
women formed a major chunk of total cognisable cases in the State at 32.4 %.
The state also ranks sixth in the country in the category of crimes against
children with 1,823 cases at 6.8% of the all India total. At the same time one
needs to also note that the instances of violence against young girls are an
important aspect of this. We read every day about many incidences of eve
teasing, abuse, sexual harassment, insult, acid attacks in the name of love,
honour killings, crime against girls and women and the suicidal tendencies
among girls.
Andhra Pradesh Mahila
Samata Society (APMSS) has been addressing these issues in MS project areas.
These issues also prevail in urban areas which makes the girls and women to
experience various forms of violence in day to day life. Hence, there is a dire
need for all of us to think about the city of Hyderabad and the plight of young
girls, particularly adolescents, school going, out of school and junior college
girls. Given this situation, there is a need to campaign on these issues in
such a manner as to every one hears the voices of the girls.
Given these alarming
incidences of violence in the State it has become imperative to initiate women
centric interventions which can address these issues effectively.
There is an urgent need to address issues
of violence against women if we are to evolve towards a more egalitarian
society. The objectives of National Policy for Empowerment of Women state
creation of an eco system which would be conducive for holistic development of
women. These include positive social and economic policies for full development
of women, enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom in all spheres
including- political, economic, social, cultural and civil, equal access to
decision making, equal access of women to health care, education, employment,
remuneration, strengthening legal systems aimed at elimination of all forms of
discrimination against women, mainstreaming gender perspective in development
process and elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against
women and girl child to name the core objectives. The goals envisaged in the
policy are a far cry from how the reality is today.
With the ratification of International
treaties such as the CEDAW and 3 years to go for the realization of MDG’s by
India it has become necessary to take pro active initiatives and address gender
related inequalities more effectively. It has also become important to evolve
strategies and mechanisms at the State level to ensure that these goals are
realised at the earliest.
With the need of addressing issues of
violence becoming more pertinent, a fortnightly campaign to address these
issues is being organised. The campaign which kicks off on 25th
November also marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women designated by the UN in 1999. The campaign scheduled between 25th
November to 10th December is first among the series of campaigns and
activities that would be planned to strengthen and mobilise the local bodies
and also build solidarity about the issue of violence against women and girls
in society.
The main objectives of the campaign are
to-
a) Demand formation of a State Level Women’s body/Organisation on the lines
of National Commission to address issues of violence against women.
b) Demand good infrastructure/ toilets to be made available for women and
young girls in schools, colleges and public places.
c) Demand to stimulate the committees on sexual harassment in schools and
junior colleges with active involvement of, students, School Management
Committees to enable efficient monitoring.
d) Complaint box and grievance redressal mechanism to be made available in
schools and colleges.
a) Identification and documentation of prevailing critical issues and put
forth before the Government.
b) Create awareness among young adolescent girls about violence.
c) To garner support from various stakeholders with their active
participation such as adolescent boys, Police, Government Departments.
d) To disseminate, create awareness and build solidarity among civil
society on the issue of violence against women.
e) Get a clear direction towards the next set of initiatives to be
undertaken in this regard.
The 18 Mandals which are covered during
the 16 Days Activism are as follows:
Amberpet, Asifnagar, Bahadurpura,
Bandlaguda, Charminar, Golconda, Himayatnagar, Marredpally, Musheerabad,
Nampally, Saidabad, Secunderabad, Shaikpet, Trimulgherry, Serilingampally,
Malkajgiri, Uppal, and Saroornagar.
