Regarding Violence against Women
We have presented a brief account of violence against women as observed in West Bengal and in the metro city of Kolkata. Though West Bengal is generally considered a comparatively safe state in the all-India context, the rising crime graphs point to a disquieting situation that threatens women's right to live a safe and dignified life. Apart from the heinous crimes of rape and dowry deaths and the alarming up trend in domestic violence, there is also the insidious increase in trafficking in women and children. Against this rather dismal context, there are some encouraging features :
There
is a growing focus on gender sensitization of administrative personnel at
different levels, including the police, who now have a network of women's
grievance cells and have set up crisis intervention centers in aid of women.
The
NGOs play a major role in the fight
against violence inflicted on women. Imparting awareness, self-confidence and
requisite support, they are making an important contribution to women's quest
for security and justice.
Significant
support and redress for victims of violence is facilitated by the very presence,
accessibility and pro-active stance of the West Bengal Commission for Women.
For consolidating the positive impact of these trends, there is an urgency for
:
Enhancing
the scope and quality of the ameliorative services most needed by affected women
including Rescue Homes, Short Stay
Homes, rehabilitation centers, telephone help lines etc.
Recognizing
the need for economic rehabilitation - apart from temporary shelter and
subsistence - and adequately dealing with this important dimension.
Widely
publicizing , specially in interior areas, location of relevant NGOs, and of
services needed by women in distress, as also details of help lines.
Considering
and taking care of counseling needs
of families of traumatized victims, including trafficked women , so that the
affected women receive due
acceptance and family support, which makes for a less complicated
rehabilitation.
Fostering
more intense interaction among agencies dealing with violence against women so
that interventions are coordinated and are based on a common understanding.