I, as a woman first and then a lawyer, cannot actually recollect an instance in my reasonable mind when not even a single incidence of violence or crime against women in India in a particular day had not come to my knowledge. Every other day I see and read in various medium of technologies such as television or internet.

And I'm sure we all do, about cases of unethical and immoral happenings with the women in our country ranging from instances of sexual harassment to graver sexual offences like rape, which unfortunately is not something new as this has become like a norm in our society that women and girls are subjected to violence and injustices that further results in bringing damage to their confidence and their positive perspective towards life.

Another such incident of sexual harassment in India has been brought to light, on 18 January 2023, by women sports professionals against the authority, the Wrestling Federation of India, that governs various matters relating to their sport. A top authority in the federation has been accused of committing the offence of sexual harassment on Indian female wrestlers as alleged by latter. Many popular names in the field of Indian sports have strongly reflected their angst and concern on the menace of sexual harassment of women in sports by staging protests.

As a member of society, I would say that this incident does not speak only about the matter of sexual harassment of sportswomen but largely about sexual harassment on women. It actually, as per my understanding, does not matter as to what profession a woman is in but the reach, the hold and the consequence of a particular crime, including the offence of sexual harassment, on her is so immense that these social evils do not discriminate on the basis of any ground, including her profession. And in this present case, these women represents the profession of sports in India.

Now, speaking as a lawyer, various legislations and policies have been framed and passed for the purpose of affording protection to women against various offences and injustices such as:

• The Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013;
• The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005;
• The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013;
• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956;

Articles 15(3), 39(d), 42, 51A(e) etc.

Of the Indian Constitution; etc. Not only this in International platform as well, India, being a signatory of various Conventions, has agreed to implement the international provisions in her national legal system relating to the protection and upliftment of women in the country.

Some of these Instruments such as:

• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979;
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948;
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966;
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 etc

Play an important role in designing the framework for women protection in the country. And Indian laws have also been inspired by the spirit of these international instruments. However, even after having all these legislations and international conventions in place, unfortunately still today in our country women and girls become victims of various offences and injustices and there has to be a justification behind this scenario.

And the same does not fail to reflect the loss of deep reverence that we women enjoyed back in the country's history in vedic period (1500-1000 B.C) when we were treated with respect and equality with male counterparts.

Doubtlessly, the legislations and policies framed by our country so far resulted in the alleviation of the condition of women in India, however some more serious and effective implementation work needs to be done in this field in order for us to finally witness an environment where women no longer have to confront situations that they are confronting today, speaking in the context of crimes and injustices faced by them in the country.

And for this same positive effect to take place, we as a society also need to improve our vision towards women and girls and shower them with respect and provide them with a sense of safety and comfort in a society that they are equally a member of.

Also Read:

• Women Protection In India

Award Winning Article Is Written By: Ms.Rasleen Kour

Authentication No: MR306142676629-02-0323