Visakhapatnam: The International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievement of women and also to call for a fight for women’s rights. Undoubtedly, the flying of all-women crew on an Air India flight on March 6 tells the tale of how Indian women are soaring high with new achievements. However, much in contrast, the crime against women also unfolds a gory situation as to how women are being deprived of basic safety.
A three-year report on the crime against women furnished by the Visakhapatnam city police presents a pathetic picture of growing violation against women and also low execution rate. As many as 774 cases related to crime against women were reported in 2015 while it was 699 and 828 in 2014 and 2013 respectively. In 2015, of the total cases, 86 were rape cases against 84 and 66 in 2014 and 2013 respectively.
The number of sexual harassment cases is also a matter of concern. As many as 541 cases were reported in 2013, though it came down to 363 and 355 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Moreover, the low rate of conviction is also diluting the faith of the women in the law and constitution. Only one accused person was convicted in 2015 while it was 3 and 5 in 2014 and 2013. “Law ensures justice but its deliverance remains in the hands of those vested with the responsibility of implementing them — the police, the courts and the lawyers,” said Shravya Sindhuri, a law student.
Divorce: As many as 1,859 and 1,100 divorce cases were filed with the family courts in Vizag in 2015 and about 1,100 cases of divorce were filed in 2014. Literacy and Employment: Due to various women welfare schemes, the literacy and employment rate has increased over the year in Visakhapatnam. The SHGs formed by women have turned many of them entrepreneurs. “As many as 5 lakh women have been given livelihood training in the district. Many have succeeded to be independent with good incomes from their small business ventures,” said A. Kumari, SHG district president.
Child sex ratio: The child sex ratio in the three north coastal districts is better compared to others in the State. However, in urban areas, the ratio is lower than that in rural areas. A consultant psychologist of Vizag, Leonora Mohan, said in many cases women consulted her following dispute over taking up a job post marriage.
“As women are highly educated now, they want to be independent. However, they don’t get family support always which leads to emotional disturbance in them,” she said adding a lot of such cases are coming to fore in Vizag of late. Freedom of though and career should be given to women post marriage, she claimed.
