BANGALORE: Is justice for women
still a distant dream in Karnataka? With dowry deaths, domestic violence, acid
attacks, rape and sexual harassment hogging the headlines almost every day,
activists seem to have lost track of Pratibha, who was raped and murdered four
years ago.
TOI spoke to some Bangalore activists even as the government shows no signs of
appointing a chairperson to the headless State Women's Commission.
Crime is committed by those in power
Dona Fernandes of Vimochana feels the Women's Commission was all set to cover up
crimes committed against women. "When the last commissioner left office, many
files had gone missing. There were rumours that they were burnt. Till date,
there is no information about this. Even if we demand a chairperson for the
commission, she will be a representative of the ruling party, deputed mainly to
cover up issues as most often crime is committed by those in power," she says.
The whole legal system is biased against women. The newly drafted Sexual
Harassment Bill is also faulty. In most of the genuine sexual harassment cases,
victims are made to appear as levelling false allegations. According to this
Bill, women will be punished if their complaint is found to be faulty. With this
condition, will women ever come and register a case against harassment?" she
asks.
Pointing out that Pratibha's incident is unfortunate and delay in justice is
unpardonable, Dona says: "Our organization has not forgotten Pratibha, rather it
was busy fighting for similar victims. Every day, six to eight women are burnt
and brought to Victoria Hospital, and many cases of harassment go unnoticed. We
are fighting to prevent occurrence of such incidents."
We need fast-track court
Recipient of the Right to Livelihood award, social activist Ruth Manorama said
the state should protect women from getting raped, molested and killed. "The BJP
government has failed to even appoint a chairperson, without a Women's
Commission how can there be follow-up of such cases?" she says.
"Justice delayed is denied, we need a fast-track court to clear such cases. With
regular incidents of domestic violence and harassment against women piling up,
we have been busy taking measures to prevent such incidents," she adds.
We reach out to silent sufferers Campaign And Struggle Against Acid Attack and
Women (CSAAAW) activist Mallige says a few days after Pratibha was killed, a
labourer at Kengeri was raped in front of her children. "Several such incidents
occur daily and 60% of the cases are not even registered. Very few families like
Ruchika's continue to fight even if it is delayed for decades," she says.
"Recently, at Malavalli, a tribal woman was raped and murdered. Who will fight
for these women? Pratibha's case was at least highlighted in the media. Our
struggle is to reach out to those silent sufferers who are unable to fight for
justice themselves," adds Mallige.
WE REGULARLY RECEIVE CALLS
SAHAI helpline counsellor Anita Gracias several women are physically and
mentally harassed. "We regularly receive calls from women harassed by their
husbands. Girls as young as 16 get into depression due to anonymous prank calls
by men. It's unfortunate that in Pratibha's case, her mother is fighting a lone
battle for justice," she says.
Women in distress can contact
SAHAI: 25497777, from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm
Vanita Sahaya Vani: 1091 / 22864023 / 22943225
Vimochana: 25472568 / 25492782 / 83
Courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5431768.cms