Flawed Culture, Appalling Generation

Why Indians are so brazenly proud of their viciously flawed culture and tradition that hardly accentuates the esteem of women in our society? Perhaps, this distorted social attitude in a male-dominated society has eventually trickled down to the modern adolescents, and the result is how boys and girls in the age group of 15-19 strongly feel that wife beating is justified. Thanks to the UNICEF's Global Report Card on Adolescents 2012 that reveals 57% of boys and 53% of girls in India consider physical violence against wife is legitimate.

The history of domestic violence against women dates back to the period of Ramayana and Mahabharata, and still we Indians, rather than evolving to a progressive society after many thousand years, still live in the shadow of an obnoxious precedence. When we claim that India is shinning on the economic fronts across the globe, the one pivotal point we often miss is how shinning our attitude towards women. Reports after reports get published via various social organizations and government agencies regarding the status of women in our society; however, we never mind, given a chance, to molest a woman when she is alone or helpless. The increasing crime rate against women in all parts of India, both urban and rural, is only a silent reminder of our corroded mindset.

Our judicial system that is supposed to uphold justice for all irrespective of caste, creed, gender, and social status, is embroiled by a heap of archaic laws those are hardly relevant to the current social conditions. Particularly, in case of crime against women, the legal measures are so docile that even a victim approaches the court for justice, it takes years together to land at a conclusive point. By that time either the victim changes her stand due to social conditioning or the perpetrator gets acquitted because of insufficient evidence. Either way the woman suffers the ordeal till her last breath.

So, what's essentially pertinent at this point of time is a complete overhaul of our social and legal system. A stringent legal framework backed by an expeditious execution of justice can only bring in a visible change in our society. But till then we must not slip into hibernation and forget our civil responsibilities. We must raise our voice against all sorts of crimes against women and keep this campaign going from strength to strength. Someday, I am sure, we can proudly claim women in India are adored and safeguarded.