Issue of women safety "missing" from Indian election discourse: The Catalyst Conference

Kickstarting the opening session of "The Catalyst Conference" here today, India's leading thought-leaders questioned why women safety and sexual violence were not being raised as central issues in the Indian elections.

In India today, a woman is raped every 30 minutes, and a child is raped every hour. About 70 per cent of women in India experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Experts further estimate that upwards of 10 million women and 6 million children have been trafficked into the sex trade in India, and are sexually abused multiple times a day to profit their traffickers. This represents a massively disproportionate 20% of the global sex trafficking "market".

Expressing concern at these statistics, Karuna Nundy, Senior Supreme Court advocate, asserted, "It is unfortunate that the issues of women safety are missing in these Indian elections. A poll says 91 per cent voters believe sexual violence must be an election priority. Women safety is the second biggest concern for Indians after corruption. Why is it, then, that government after government have to be pressured to address these concerns?"

"Each of us has a role to play in destroying patriarchy, which is the root of all challenges women face today. The issue of patriarchy runs deep within our system and is the root cause of all challenges women face today. Each of us has a role to play in destroying this system and the government must lead the initiative," she added.

Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head of HSBC India and Director, HSBC Asia-Pacific, called for greater awareness and concerted action against sexual violence.

"Rape cases are increasing, which is really worrying. According to recent research, nine in ten Indian agree that sexual violence is a problem. Ninety-one per cent men and 89 per cent women concur that rape is a big issue for voters. This acknowledgment has to be a starting point of action, though some politicians do not get it," said Kidwai, Chair of the Conference and a Trustee at the Ananta Aspen Centre.

Convened by the Ananta Centre and EmancipAction, "The Catalyst Conference: Igniting Leadership to end sexual violence" is a two-day conclave aimed at raising awareness on the issue of sexual violence and bringing out ways to transform existing attitudes and behaviour.

The meeting will feature nearly 200 leading women-rights practitioners, corporates, heads of institutions and activists. Among the luminaries participating in the meeting are activist and dance exponent Mallika Sarabhai, eminent sociologist Dipankar Gupta, Member of the National Advisory Council Mirai Chatterjee, Filmmaker Vibha Bakshi, and Former Commissioner of Delhi Police, Neeraj Kumar.