Daily Times

“Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed”. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a day dedicated to recognizing and addressing the endemic issue of violence against women worldwide, marked the launch of 16 days UNiTE campaign which will conclude on International Human Rights Day.

The theme calls for global action to confront all forms of violence against women, an issue that remains pertinent worldwide but particularly pressing in India, where violence against women is rampant and often goes unpunished. Despite legal reforms and global awareness, India continues to grapple with alarming rates of violence and harassment against women, positioning the nation as a dangerous place for her female citizens and foreign visitors alike.

The prevalence of sexual violence in India remains disturbingly high. According to official government data, rape cases have largely remained above 30,000 annually since 2012, with some fluctuations, including a notable dip in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted many aspects of society. However, the year 2022 saw over 31,000 reported rapes, a number that continues to alarm experts and advocates.

In 2023 and 2024, India has averaged around 40,000 rape cases per year with Delhi alone witnessing nearly four reported rapes per day. While this might appear to be a significant number in itself, it’s crucial to remember that these figures only represent reported cases. Many survivors choose not to file reports due to fear of retribution, societal pressure, or lack of trust in the justice system.

The inefficacy of India’s legal system continues to fuel the epidemic of violence against women.

In the wake of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case, which shocked the world and spurred mass protests, India introduced several legal reforms aimed at protecting women and ensuring swift justice. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2013 strengthened the laws surrounding rape, sexual harassment, and acid attacks, among other crimes.

Yet, the conviction rates for rape remain low hovering between 27-28 percent from 2018 to 2022. Rebecca M. John, a senior criminal lawyer in India, has represented numerous rape victims and believes that many rapists continue to feel emboldened by the absence of fear of punishment. She argues that the legal system’s failures and the inefficiency of police forces often allow rapists to escape justice. The inefficacy of India’s legal system continues to fuel the epidemic of violence against women.

Violence against women is not restricted to the streets. It also extends to workplaces with reports of harassment and assaults emerging from various sectors. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) conducted a study that revealed a shocking 35 percent of women medical staffers feel unsafe during their shifts. This alarming statistic underscores the perilous conditions women face even in professional environments meant to serve and protect others.

One such tragic case of harassment within the medical field is the recent murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. In August 2024, a young female doctor working a 36-hour shift in Kolkata was brutally raped and murdered while resting in an empty seminar room used by on-duty doctors. The incident has drawn widespread outrage, particularly as the victim worked in a hospital – an environment where safety and care should have been guaranteed. Unfortunately, this pattern of workplace violence extends to the Indian Armed Forces as well.

Cases of sexual harassment and assaults involving military personnel have been increasingly reported. In one such instance, a lady officer accused Major General RS Jaswal of sexual harassment while he served as the IG Assam Rifles in Nagaland. Similarly, other officers have been implicated in inappropriate conduct with female cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

The military, an institution often held in high regard, is no stranger to these incidents of sexual violence highlights how deep-seated the issue of harassment is in India. India’s image as a tourist destination has been severely tarnished by high-profile rape cases involving foreign nationals. For years, India has been identified as one of the most dangerous places for women, ranking as such in the 2018 Thomson Reuters Foundation survey.

This notoriety is further compounded by incidents of sexual violence against women tourists which have become alarmingly frequent. Women tourists, often unfamiliar with the local language and customs, find themselves vulnerable to assault, and the country’s failure to provide adequate protection only serves to heighten their risk. In 2024, the horrifying case of a 28-year-old foreign tourist, who was traveling with her husband near Ranchi, were attacked by locals and the woman was subjected to a brutal gang rape. The message such incidents sends to the international community is clear: India remains an unsafe place for women, both local and foreign.

India’s history with high-profile rape cases reflects a troubling legacy of impunity. The 2012 Nirbhaya case, in which a 23-year-old physiotherapy student was gang-raped and murdered in Delhi. The 2017 Unnao case in which a minor girl was allegedly raped by a politician. Similarly, the 2018 Kathua case in which an 8-year-old girl was abducted, raped, and murdered.

The fact that the accused included powerful figures only underscores the pervasive culture of impunity in India where the powerful continue to evade justice often leaving victims and their families without recourse. The UNiTE campaign act as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of gender-based violence around the world. Despite economic progress and rising global stature, India remains a dangerous home for women. From the streets to workplaces, from the armed forces to hospitals, women in India face constant threats of violence and harassment.

The country’s legal system and law enforcement agencies remain woefully inadequate in providing justice to victims, and the culture of impunity continues to thrive. As India strives to project herself as a global power, she must confront the deep-rooted violence that plagues her women. Only with substantial legal reforms, robust law enforcement, and a societal commitment to gender equality can India hope to eliminate the cycle of violence and harassment that continues to harm women and tarnish international reputation. Until then, the dreams of a safe and just India for women remain elusive.

The writer is a graduate of QAU, PhD scholar and a freelance writer and can be reached at fa7263125@gmail.com