Image Source: Hindustan Times
Delhi – After the tragic rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, the West Bengal government responded to the public outcry by passing the Aparajita Women and Children Bill.
The horrific incident sparked outrage, with millions, including medical workers, calling for stricter laws and harsher punishments for those guilty of sexual violence.
The new anti-rape bill introduces the death penalty for certain cases of rape and sexual assault. Its goal is to protect women and children by tightening laws and imposing stronger penalties to deter violent crimes against society’s most vulnerable.
Although the death penalty is seen as a step forward in ensuring stricter consequences, Senior Editor Shahzeen Khan from The Observer Post in India feels that the government must do more to tackle the deeper societal issues that allow violence against women to persist.
While Khan supports the new law, she argues that it’s not enough on its own to address the daily challenges, abuses, and discrimination faced by women in India. She believes that alongside legal reforms, there needs to be comprehensive nationwide education and awareness campaigns to promote gender sensitivity and respect for women across all cultural and religious communities.
“Stricter punishment is definitely the need of the hour, and besides that, we also need to teach sensitivity at the primary level in schools. We need to inculcate moral precepts at a very young age, both among men and women. There should be proper counselling and awareness for both women and men.”
The Double Standards of Indian Society Regarding Women
Khan expressed that being a woman in India right now is filled with contradictions. On one hand, women are encouraged to embrace their potential, with opportunities in politics, education, and business. On the other, the harsh reality for many, especially those from marginalised communities, tells a very different story.
Despite the introduction of progressive laws and women empowerment schemes, Khan highlighted that their benefits are limited, often only reaching a small group of women from upper-class, majority communities.
While these initiatives may seem promising on the surface, she stressed that they fail to address the deep-rooted societal issues and inequalities that continue to fuel violence and discrimination against the vast majority of women in the country.
“On one hand, they promote all these schemes for women’s empowerment, but in reality, what we see is different from their intended motives. These are the double standards of societies as well as the government. What we need to do is commend all the schemes and government laws they make.”
“It is really commendable and appreciated. However, what makes a difference is how those laws are implemented in real life, especially in the lives of women in India. We do not see that happening.”
