Crime against women is rising while agencies to tackle that are ineffective,warn Goa women's collectives&civil society groups

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,August 30- A meeting of organisations and individuals working on crimes against women held to take stock of the unabated crimes against women on Thursday here took note of the brazen multiple violence against women in public places indicating that safety in public spaces for women has collapsed. 

Assault, rape, kidnapping, murder has become a norm. Government institutions monitoring crimes know that most attacks are pre planned. That group of men prowl at beaches, public gardens and attack young people in relationships meeting outdoors, blackmail them resulting in heinous acts. The government has failed to take responsibility of maintaining law and order in public spaces. 

With public uproar, while some cases get highlighted, many especially those taking place at homes and workplaces go unregistered.

Absence of quick action has resulted in the eroding of trust and fear of the law, which has encouraged crimes. Women’s right to work, pursue education, creative pursuits have been affected. Restrictions are being put on her instead of the perpetrators who roam freely.

The meeting critiqued the inadequate response at the police stations and condemned the mental violence inflicted on complainants and their families with their patriarchal attitudes by police in some instances, victim blaming, admonishing and even vulgar behavior amounting to sexual harassment.

Taking stock of the functioning of various systems meant to address crimes against women, there was a common refrain that the agencies have been inept and not forthcoming to address the challenges women face to get justice.

The government has not provided adequate infrastructure, personnel and budget to strengthen the redressal mechanisms. Protection officers with independent charge under Domestic Violence Act, full-fledged forensic laboratory, has been a demand for several years which has not been fullfilled. Mandatory functions under various Acts are just not taking place. 

Free legal aid lawyers demand money and poor vulnerable sections are put to further trauma.

Accountability of institutions and audit was lacking besides gender sensitivity.

It was decided to meet various authorities flagging out the issues that need redressal. 

A meeting of complainants will be held to bring forth the ordeal and injustice in the public domain and demand justice.

The organisations included Arz, Bailancho Saad, Goa Domestic Workers Forum,  Human Rights Law Network, Presentation society, Saad Aangan, The Muslim Women’s Association among others,said  Ms. Sabina Martins on behalf of  the organisations which participated.(eom)

Women's collective says early action was lacking in teen's suspicious death case in North Goa

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,August 16-- The Bailancho Saad,women's collective met the family members of the Nachinola girl(North Goa) who was found dead in suspicious circumstances on Calangute beach and extended support to fight for speedy investigation s and justice .

Bailancho Saad states that early action was lacking in this case when missing report was filed. Any report of missing girl  needs proactive response  by the police.It is only when the parents have exhausted their search at possible places, that they report to police. Early action was lacking in this case.

The police have made public the contents of the post mortem report but the family is yet to get a copy to match the medical report with circumstantial evidence.

Bailancho Saad has assured to pursue the matter to get the medical report.

The women's collective strongly condemns the circulation of semi nude photos of the girl in social media.

"While circulation of such photos are against the law related to sexual offences, even otherwise it violates the dignity of women and is violation of human rights.,"said Sabina Martin's,coordinator of Bailancho Saad, on Monday.

Voyeurism is a crime under section 354 C of IPC and the jail term is 3 years for the first time offence and upto 7 years for subsequent second or third time,she warned.

She said that this incident brings to the fore the way complainants and their families are treated at police stations when they go to report crimes against women. The police makes accusatory and derogatory comments which are offensive and further traumatise the complainants. It does not inspire confidence in police.

Bailancho Saad demands timely collection of evidence and  speedy investigation.The family is receiving information and clues from public which should be pursued.

The family has appealed for support and requests the public to join the protest on 16th August 21 at 5pm at Aldona in North Goa.

Bailancho Saad will join the protest and will also hold protests to demand justice in all the cases of crimes against women which are increasing day by day, stated Ms. Martin's.(eom)

Abolish immunity for all legislative activities done or said during House-proceedings: RTI activist Agrawal

Prakash Kamat

Panaji, August 13- Right to Information(RTI) veteran activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal has demanded that impunity  for all legislative activities done or said during House-proceedings be abolished to check on wastage of precious time of Parliament and State-Assemblies by usual disruptions,din leading to causing frequent adjournments of proceedings. 

Referring to sudden end of monsoon session of Parliament two days before the scheduled end because of high-level and unprecedented disruption in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for which Central government and opposition are blaming each other,Mr. Agrawal said on Friday that now since Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV are going to be merged, CCTV-footage will be the only proof available for knowing the truth. Perhaps it was for first time that eight Union Ministers had to appear before media on 12.08.2021 with TV footage to give clarification on allegations levelled by opposition parties.

It is not the first time that such unruly behavior of Parliamentarians was witnessed during Parliamentary proceedings. Much-awaited Women-Reservation-Bill could not be passed in midnight session of Rajya Sabha despite three-fourth majority of Parliamentarians in support only because of tearing the bill by a member. Rajasthan assembly witnessed slipper-throw on 29.08.2011. Earlier also such unruly activities including even bloodbaths and trying to hurt Speaker have been there in other state-assemblies like Tamilnadu, Bihar, UP etc.  

If such immunity continues, day may not be far when quarrels between members may even turn fatal,cautioned veteran RTI activist. Chairpersons and House-committees are often soft in action against unruly behaviour of members. Abolishing immunity will also have a check on wastage of precious time of Parliament and state-assemblies by usual disruptions causing adjournments of proceedings. 

It may be recalled even Supreme Court acquitted Parliamentarians involved in infamous JMM-bribery case because bribed act of Parliamentarians (to vote for Narsimha Rao government) was considered immunized being the act done during Lok Sabha proceedings. Immunity makes Parliamentarians pass undignified remarks against normal citizens when a member in Rajya Sabha called RTI applicant having sought details of subsidy in Parliamentary canteens as black-mailer,said Mr. Agrawal.(eom).