HAFLONG, April 22 - Protesting crimes against women all over India and demanding that death penalty be meted out to rapists and exemplary punishment given to accused of other crimes against women, a rally was organised from Synod rotary to council rotary and back to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao on Saturday.
People from all walks of life including school children took part in the rally carrying posters and banners depicting crime against the women and children.
Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal through the Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao.
The memorandum signed by the presidents and secretaries of several NGOs and social activists maintained that cases of rape, eve-teasing, molestation, domestic violence, woman trafficking and other serious social evils are very much prevalent in the society. These incidents have terrorized the lives of women.
Legislation by itself would not suffice because crimes against women are a deep-rooted social problem. It is worth noting that Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen had said that rape and other serious crimes against women are closely intertwined with inefficient policing and judicial system and callousness of the society. So, the quality of governance in States is the key to understanding the huge variation in incidences of serious crime against women. The change in this regard can he made through sustained social efforts and focusing on youngsters. Apart from imparting value- based education, both at home and schools, the people should be made to understand the serious consequences of such heinous crimes. Women cannot solve the problem by themselves. They should understand women and men should understand women. Both should work together to eradicate the menace.
Considering the serious impact of these brutal crimes, they urged the State government to adopt the following measures immediately: (i) set up fast track courts in all the districts of Assam and ensure speedy trial of all crimes against women; (ii) Institute death penalty for rapists; (iii) set up anti-rape squad force for girls; (iv) start self-defence classes for girls in every school; (v) install functional women�s helpline numbers to respond to emergency situations. The same must be managed by trained personnel and made accessible in rural areas; (vi) sensitize frontline functionaries like police, doctors, lawyers, media, the political leadership and society etc., who are the first contact point for women in distress; (vii) immediate notification of shelter homes and medical facilities across all districts of Assam; (viii) establish Mahila Suraksha Committee at the village level with equal representation of male and female stakeholders to ensure safety of women both within and outside the homes and (ix) it has been observed that pornography is one of the major factors for crimes against women for which it should be banned, they added.
