BS EDIT: Crimes against women call for urgent reforms

By Business Standard Editorial CommentPublished On Aug 19, 2024

A nation in shock

The recent horrific case in Kolkata echoes past brutalities and highlights ongoing concerns about women's safety in India

Rising crimes against women

National Crime Records Bureau data shows a 4% increase in crimes against women in 2022, with over 31,500 rape cases recorded

Under-reported and overlooked

Many crimes go unreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of faith in the system. Victim-blaming and societal attitudes contribute to this silence

Ineffective implementation of laws

Despite strict laws post-Nirbhaya, enforcement of acts like POSH and POCSO remains inadequate, and solutions like ICCs are not enough

Economic impact of gender violence

Crimes against women deter their participation in the workforce, worsening gender gaps in labour-force participation and impacting the economy

A need for systemic change

Increasing budgets alone won’t help. India’s law and order machinery needs an urgent overhaul to ensure justice and protect women’s rights