‘Government has failed to ensure women’s safety’
A group of social organisations in Lucknow released a report in which they say the UP government has failed to live up to its agenda of ensuring safety for women.
The report, put together after an assessment of 100 days of the state government’s performance, highlights the different categories of crimes against women that have occurred in Uttar Pradesh.
A database of news reports and cases attended to by social organisations was also released.
“Data collected from selected districts shows that women’s lives are still not free from violence. A large number of heinous crimes are being reported every day, which is worrisome. Initiatives like setting up ‘anti-Romeo squads’ in the name of ensuring a violence-free environment ignore the complex ground reality,” says the report released by ‘Junoon’ -- a group of organisations and activists working on women’s issues and human rights.
The report further says: Violence is not the only problem for women.
Access to better education, holistic health, and employment opportunities are also important. Without addressing these concerns, an environment free from fear, and one that ensures women’s empowerment is not possible.
Explaining the research method followed, an activist said, “To find out how the lives of women changed after the formation of the new government, the organisations associated with Junoon delved into newspapers and portals -- scanning reports from March 20 to June 20, 2017. We gathered news items on rights violation of women from 49 districts. The data highlighted various aspects of violation.”
“We recorded 458 incidents of violence against women and other crimes. And these are only selected incidents culled from a few major newspapers. Cases of rape, especially gang rape, are truly bothering.”
The report is also critical of the government’s ‘anti-Romeo squads’.
“In fact, these squads are contributing to limiting the mobility of young women, creating an environment that restricts their right of choice and decisionmaking,” says the report.
An activist adds, “Junoon has information of instances where men were beaten up by police for being with women friends. This is an infringement of their right to privacy, to build relationships and occupy spaces. In the name of these squads, some private organisations and individuals threatened people. Harassment through such moral policing is illegal.”
The report also comes down heavily on the government for not giving health issues the importance they deserve. “There appears to be no visible attempt to make structural changes in hospitals. Rampant incidents of negligence in treatment and demand for money in exchange of medical care continue to be reported,” says the report.