Homes unsafe for women
Atrocities on women constitute a complex and multi-dimensional problem. Atrocities such as rapes and sexual assaults that take place in public spaces are highlighted and discussed. In India, not only roads but homes have also become dangerous for women. Men in the role of husbands are now completely free to assault women in any form and even rape them. Assaults that take place in public become public information and sometimes, the accused may get a jail term. But the assaults that take place at homes are dismissed as domestic affairs. Many a time, a woman is not even aware that she has been raped. Throughout the period of pandemic and lockdown, women’s issues were not discussed as much as the issues of migrant laborers and farmers.
A survey has exposed the fallacy of the widely held view that women were happy with husbands at home during the lockdown. The survey has shown that men battered by stress induced by economic distress and unemployment would express their anguish by targeting women at home. After the coronavirus hit the country, the number of cases of violence against women has increased substantially. The survey has also shown that from the time the lockdown was announced in March due to the pandemic, the toughest problem that the Indian woman has faced has been family violence.
Even after the lockdown was relaxed, the problems of women have been increasing. The National Commission for Women has stated that the number of complaints has increased significantly since July 2020. The Commission could have come forward to try and provide relief by making use of the appropriate provisions under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. But as domestic violence against women was not listed as essential services during the lockdown, the problem has increased.
Similarly, during the time of the pandemic, the report has said, sexual assault against women in public places increased. Also, there have been many instances of assault on frontline health workers that comprise mainly women. And the maximum number of women have lost their jobs due to the pandemic which is also said to be one of the main reasons for domestic violence. In the online world also, women are targeted and sexually abused through social media.
In the police force, women comprise a mere seven percent. To address this yawning gap, the government has announced 33 percent of reservation for women in the police department. The Commonwealth Human Rights Association has shed light on the difficulties women face in the police department right from the time of their recruitment. Uttar Pradesh has gained notoriety for atrocities against women. The attitude towards women that the Yogi Adityanath government fosters can never be in favor of women facing domestic violence.
The need of the hour is to find the reasons for increasing domestic violence against women after lockdown and to find a solution. It is impossible for the police force that is under severe pressure of work to keep a watch on each home. It is therefore important that women be provided easy access to counseling, complaint registration, and legal remedies. The possible initiatives that NITI Aayog has suggested considering the seriousness of the issue should be implemented immediately. Besides, the government must facilitate online registration of complaints, ensure that action is taken on the information provided through WhatsApp, and increase hotline facilities. Information about women’s shelter homes, counseling centers for rape victims, and counselors in health centers should be easily made available for women. Counseling should be provided not only to women but also to family members. The victims should be provided with therapy and telemedicine facilities.
Some states are doing excellent work in this regard. For example, in states such as Orissa and Tamil Nadu, social workers and other departmental officials keep a watch on women who have filed domestic violence complaints. The Kerala government has also made a provision for a 24-hour WhatsApp helpline to register complaints. The National Commission for Women has started a similar WhatsApp service.
A multi-dimensional approach should be adopted to assuage the difficulties of women. These include making arrangements for shelter homes for needy women. Providing direct cash transfer facilities and essentials under the public distribution system might provide some relief for those from the poor and economically weaker sections. The services of volunteers from colleges and educational institutions should be used to create awareness about programs for women’s safety. Public transport systems must be installed with panic buttons under Safe City programs. Using the existing infrastructure, women’s safety should be prioritized. Families are run by women. If homes are not safe for women, children cannot be safe. As the children are rightly said to be the future of the nation, the government should make sure that women who are responsible for building the future by nursing children can lead safe lives.
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Jaiswal masters tough conditions with fluent 75 as Royals post 173/4 against RCB
Jaipur, Apr 13 (PTI): Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal appeared to be batting on a different surface as he hit a sublime 47-ball 75 to power Rajasthan Royals to 173/4 in challenging conditions against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL clash here on Sunday.
On a tacky Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch where the ball stayed low and lacked pace, Jaiswal's strokeplay stood out after RCB won a good toss.
The 23-year-old struck 10 fours and two sixes, handling the testing conditions with remarkable poise even as the others around him struggled to get going.
After Jaiswal's departure, Dhruv Jurel got a reprieve from Virat Kohli and played the finisher's role with aplomb, striking a 23-ball 35 not out with two fours and two sixes as RR managed 59 runs in the last five overs.
After negotiating a disciplined opening spell from RCB's pace attack, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal, Jaiswal teed off in the fifth over, hitting a six and a four off Yash Dayal.
He reached his second fifty of the season in 35 balls and ensured Royals maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Unlike his skipper Sanju Samson, who looked scratchy during his 13 off 16 balls, Jaiswal played with clarity and composure.
Samson, bogged down by seven dot balls and tight bowling, survived a run-out chance on 3 but was eventually stumped by Jitesh Sharma after misjudging a low delivery from Krunal Pandya, who bowled well.
Jaiswal, however, looked in complete control. He pierced the field with finesse, employing reverse sweeps and lap shots.
His strong back-foot game also came into play, as he cut and pulled effectively.
He found solid support from Riyan Parag, who looked fluent during his 30-run knock that included a six and three fours.
The duo added 56 runs for the second wicket off just 39 balls.
Parag, however, couldn't capitalise on a life he received on 13, when Dayal dropped a straightforward catch at point off Suyash Sharma's bowling.
He eventually fell in the 14th over to Dayal's well-guised slower back-of-the-hand delivery, mistiming it to Kohli at short cover.
Jaiswal continued to innovate, scooping Hazlewood for a six over fine leg. He followed it up with a thick edge through third man for four, but Hazlewood had the last word. In the same over, Jaiswal missed a sweep across the line to a full delivery and was trapped plumb in front.
RCB's fielding woes continued with Kohli dropping a routine catch of Jurel on 11.
