Noting that at least 30 per cent of Indian women and girls have experienced either physical or sexual violence, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has said that what is a matter of grave concern is the fact that most of this violence is perpetrated by those very men who are supposed to protect them.
Ms Kumar who was speaking at a national conference on “Staying Alive: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005” in the capital on Sunday said that while the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 has acted as a deterrent, “it cannot be perceived as a panacea for all ills”. She added, “Domestic Violence is a complex social problem which finds its genesis in our perception of women being the weaker sex. Hence, we have to empower women and elevate their role to one with power and responsibility.”
The Speaker also noted that it is ironical that while Indian society on the one hand deifies women as “Stree Shakti”, at the same time it subjects them to gender bias. “We pray to them as Ma Durga and simultaneously indulge in female foeticide, honour killings and domestic violence,” observed the Speaker.
The Speaker further said that violence against women is a brutal manifestation of gender disparity.
“Collective action and concerted efforts are required to generate an enabling environment for promoting attitudinal change,” she stated.
Stating that he believes that women are equal partners in the task of nation-building, the Speaker said that their equal participation in development processes needs to be recognised. In this, she emphasised the need to involve women in any process of policy-making and its implementation.
The Speaker further called for the formulation of policies that would help given women better access to education and healthcare.