The Dangers of Being a Woman in India
India ranks number one in Thomas Reuter Foundation's report as the world's most dangerous country for women. This projects researches on how India is dangerous for women.
Chennai - On June 25th, 2018, Thomson Reuters Foundation released a report which found that India was the world’s most dangerous country for women. Cases including the Nirbhaya case attest to why India is a dangerous country.
As per the Crime in India Report 2017 released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 359,849 crimes were reported against women across the country. These statistics are truly horrifying.
The worst part is that the justice system in India is time-consuming. The victim of the 2012 Delhi rape case finally received her justice this year when her four assailants were hanged to death.
A survey found that 57.1% of women feel unsafe in public. On asking whether it is common for women to be harassed or catcalled in public, a majority responded Yes, recounting experiences that they've had.
“Yes, it is extremely common. Not just women but even young girls get harassed and catcalled.” Varsha, 23
“It happened once. I was out with my friends when it happened, but I ignored it. I didn’t react because it wasn’t a big deal or concern.” Aruna, 19
Aruna commented on why she didn’t respond towards the harassment she faced quoting “For that place, it wasn’t necessary. I felt like why I should ask and make a big fuss.”
The survey also found that the majority of women took precautions while going out ranging from using pepper spray to sharing live location to parents and learning self-defence.
Has sexual harassment become so commonplace in India that a majority of women have experienced it and are so apathetic towards it? Partly, it is the society that is to blame. In a country where victim-blaming is common, society tells women to make sure that they do not get raped instead of teaching the men to not rape.
Only by changing this mindset can we look forward to changing India.