GUWAHATI, May 9 � Though women have been guaranteed equal rights in various international declarations and by the constitution of the country, crime against women has undoubtedly been increasing in the capital city which has become a major cause of concern amongst the law enforcing agencies.
In view of the spurt in violence against women in the city, the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Guwahati chapter, established in the year 2008 has launched its Women Justice Initiative and dealing with cases involving domestic violence, matrimonial cruelty and disputes, trafficking, sexual assault, reproductive and sexual health rights of women/adolescents, denial of property/inheritance rights of women, rights of women who are marginalised, HIV positive, prisoners, lesbians, bisexuals and disabled.
The HRLN, Guwahati unit is also providing legal assistance in divorce cases, child sexual abuse cases, trafficking cases. Till date HRLN has provided consultation to 90(ninety) women, mainly victims of domestic violence.
�67 cases are pending as litigation in the lower court as well as in the High Court,� said an official of HRLN.
Since its inception HRLN Guwahati unit has been actively providing legal assistance to the vulnerable. Apart from providing legal assistance it has also been organising various awareness workshops and seminars.
It needs to be mentioned here that HRLN is a collective of lawyers and social activists dedicated to the use of the legal system to advance human rights, struggle against violations, and ensure access to justice for all. A not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, HRLN defines rights to include civil and political rights. HRLN believe human rights are universal and indivisible, and their realization is an immediate goal.
Under the initiative of HRLN 8 domestic violence cases have been disposed off by granting absolute protection orders in favour of the victims. Protection order means prohibiting the abuser from committing and aiding acts of violence, entering place of employment or school in case of a child, and alienating assets, bank accounts, stridhan or any property they hold separately or jointly. Another 4 domestic violence cases have been disposed off by granting absolute residence orders in favour of the victims. The residence order is basically in the nature of restraining order. This includes removing the abuser from the shared household, restraining the abuser from entering any portion of the household where the victim resides, direction to the abuser to secure alternative accommodation and restrain the abuser from alienating or disposing off the shared household.
Apart from fighting cases for the aggrieved women, HRLN has also been actively involved in rescuing the victims of domestic violence and forced child marriage.
�There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a great revolution in the history of women. Unfortunately, women in this country are mostly unaware of their rights because of illiteracy and the oppressive tradition,� said the official of HRLN.
Despite the trauma, women across all classes are reporting crimes such as rape and assault and do not feel helpless or abandoned by family or society as was the prevalent case before. Society is changing and government is forced to take action as it has run out of excuses such as society�s mindset or class divide.
