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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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
