Times of India: Mumbai: Monday, 22 May 2023.
Amid rising crimes against them, women are facing more harassment in their workplaces and the society at large than inside their own places of living, the latest data shows.
An RTI (Right to Information) query has revealed that the number of complaints related to crimes against women had increased by a staggering 140% over the last five years.
The data, obtained from the Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) by RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge has revealed that in the year 2017-18, a total of 6,659 complaints were pending, which increased to 16,012 in the year 2022-23. Similarly, the information also disclosed the changing pattern in the nature of crimes against women. There has been a 139% increase in workplace harassment of women, with 396 cases in 2017-18 rising to 950 cases in 2022-23, the data suggests. However, on a positive note, no dowry death complaints have been recorded in the last four years, whereas 35 such complaints were pending in 2017-18. The data further highlights a substantial increase (217%) in complaints related to social atrocities and rape. The number of cases pending for action in 2017-18 was 1,405, whereas, in 2022-23, it had gone up to 4,462.
Ghadge said in response to his query regarding action against celebrities, and public figures who have been given notices by the MSCW for using derogatory remarks against women on the public platform or social media websites, the commission had not provided any information. With regards to action taken by the police on the directions of the commission, the public information officer (PIO) did not respond, Ghadge pointed out. This, according to him, raises questions about commission's way of functioning in taking cases to their logical end and also creates a doubt whether women were actually getting full justice. Social activist on women issues Vrushali Magdum said several companies or establishments where more than 10 women are working still did not have sexual harassment or internal complaint committees. "With the increasing number of women at work, there is a need to create an atmosphere that will ensure their safety and security. In several cases, the matter is resolved with the accused tendering an apology. If women are not satisfied with the internal committee, they can still approach the police and eventually the court," she added. With regards to social security Magdum said since police were involved in several complaints and issues besides political matters are under serious work pressure and hence special efforts were needed to help enhance their vigilance over social security to women.
Ghadge, who is also a functionary of The Young Whistleblowers Foundation, said, "The information obtained clearly indicates a change in the pattern of crimes against women. However, the commission withheld the info regarding the number of cases in which women have received justice, assistance, or help. It is essential that the Women's Commission focuses on providing justice to the complainant as the number of complaints is piling." The increasing number of complaints is a matter of concern and requires the government to take effective measures to curb such crimes against women, he said, pointing out that the Women's Commission needed to work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action and justice for the victims of these crimes.
Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said she had directed the collectors across the state to collect the data about the companies where more than 10 women are working but still did not have internal committees to protect women from sexual harassment and ensure that these establishments set up such committees and efficiently work as per the regulations under the Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace Act 2013.
Manisha Tulpule, a lawyer handling cases related to atrocities against women and children, said in fact the rise in number of cases at workplaces was due to increased awareness about the 2013 Act that helps women prohibit or protect themselves from their sexual harassment. "Internally, women are now reporting the matters to the committee which was not the case earlier," she said, adding that in terms of domestic violence, though there were many divorces, very few women were claiming alimony or maintenance since many of them were financially independent which was never the case until a few years ago.
Amid rising crimes against them, women are facing more harassment in their workplaces and the society at large than inside their own places of living, the latest data shows.
An RTI (Right to Information) query has revealed that the number of complaints related to crimes against women had increased by a staggering 140% over the last five years.
The data, obtained from the Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC) by RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge has revealed that in the year 2017-18, a total of 6,659 complaints were pending, which increased to 16,012 in the year 2022-23. Similarly, the information also disclosed the changing pattern in the nature of crimes against women. There has been a 139% increase in workplace harassment of women, with 396 cases in 2017-18 rising to 950 cases in 2022-23, the data suggests. However, on a positive note, no dowry death complaints have been recorded in the last four years, whereas 35 such complaints were pending in 2017-18. The data further highlights a substantial increase (217%) in complaints related to social atrocities and rape. The number of cases pending for action in 2017-18 was 1,405, whereas, in 2022-23, it had gone up to 4,462.
Ghadge said in response to his query regarding action against celebrities, and public figures who have been given notices by the MSCW for using derogatory remarks against women on the public platform or social media websites, the commission had not provided any information. With regards to action taken by the police on the directions of the commission, the public information officer (PIO) did not respond, Ghadge pointed out. This, according to him, raises questions about commission's way of functioning in taking cases to their logical end and also creates a doubt whether women were actually getting full justice. Social activist on women issues Vrushali Magdum said several companies or establishments where more than 10 women are working still did not have sexual harassment or internal complaint committees. "With the increasing number of women at work, there is a need to create an atmosphere that will ensure their safety and security. In several cases, the matter is resolved with the accused tendering an apology. If women are not satisfied with the internal committee, they can still approach the police and eventually the court," she added. With regards to social security Magdum said since police were involved in several complaints and issues besides political matters are under serious work pressure and hence special efforts were needed to help enhance their vigilance over social security to women.
Ghadge, who is also a functionary of The Young Whistleblowers Foundation, said, "The information obtained clearly indicates a change in the pattern of crimes against women. However, the commission withheld the info regarding the number of cases in which women have received justice, assistance, or help. It is essential that the Women's Commission focuses on providing justice to the complainant as the number of complaints is piling." The increasing number of complaints is a matter of concern and requires the government to take effective measures to curb such crimes against women, he said, pointing out that the Women's Commission needed to work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action and justice for the victims of these crimes.
Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, said she had directed the collectors across the state to collect the data about the companies where more than 10 women are working but still did not have internal committees to protect women from sexual harassment and ensure that these establishments set up such committees and efficiently work as per the regulations under the Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace Act 2013.
Manisha Tulpule, a lawyer handling cases related to atrocities against women and children, said in fact the rise in number of cases at workplaces was due to increased awareness about the 2013 Act that helps women prohibit or protect themselves from their sexual harassment. "Internally, women are now reporting the matters to the committee which was not the case earlier," she said, adding that in terms of domestic violence, though there were many divorces, very few women were claiming alimony or maintenance since many of them were financially independent which was never the case until a few years ago.
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