Unsafe women, unsafe Delhi: people call for a change

New Delhi: With the number of crimes against women escalating by leaps and bounds in Delhi, the female folk, especially the young girls, face a plethora of challenges while going out.

The crimes against women had also tarnished the reputation of Delhi which had been branded as the "rape capital".

It is, however, the collective responsibility of every citizens to take up the issue and address it at the earliest.

The alleged atrocities against women has also changed people's perception about Delhi. Only a notorious faction of the society is responsible behind the debacle.

The situation demands a total revamp of the attitude of the people living in the capital.

But what kind of attitude and behavior is required for a change? What should be the role of public? What should be the role of government?

Expressing concerns over the security of women in Delhi, the High Court stated that there was a need for a "sea change in the medieval mindsets" of people with regards to their attitudes towards women.

Creating mass awareness is another important weapon to curb sexual offences against women. Though mass awareness campaigns were carried out but they failed to provide an effective solution.

How can one forget what happened on 16th December 2012? Did 'Nirbhaya' get justice?

Though people came down to the streets to demand justice, but the scenario did not change. Rapes continued, atrocities on women did not stop and politicians ceaselessly tried defending people.

Media did play a major role in spreading the awareness. But they highlighted their agenda and aired news of rape by highly sensationalizing them.

It became a fashion for the media houses to broadcast or publish news stories related to rape as it brings them more eyeballs.

But media never pay heed to the fact that the more they use the word 'rape' the more they inflict a never-healing wound to the psyche to the victims. Furthermore, media reports alienate the victims from the society.

It was not the fault of the victims that they were raped. Even after that trauma, the society made them feel that they were solely responsible for it. This attitude needs to change for bringing in a paradigm change.

The crimes against the women testify the loophole in the security system of the government. It was only after the 'Nirbhaya' incident that incidents of the heinous crime were being reported.

Police data says that most of the cases are committed by persons known to the victim. It might be mentioned that in most cases it was the minors who faced the brutalities.

The situation is indeed concerning. A paradigm change is needed to curb the incidents.

Government moves and initiatives would not work if the people do not support it.

'Mera imaan, Mahilaon ki samman' written on the back of public transport like autos and taxis does prove that people do want to get out of the stigma and build a safer Delhi for women.

(By Adita Mehta, Edited by Arka Mondal)