Women’s Web is saying Goodbye! Please make sure you read this important notification.
Anybody who knows anything of history knows that great social changes are impossible without the feminine ferment. – Karl Marx
Yet, Women fought long and hard for basic rights. The right to vote, the right to drive, the right to work after marriage, the right to be seen as more than the property of men, the right to voice out their opinion. They have been kidnapped and trafficked. They have been denied education, property ownership, equal pay. One out of every five women has been raped. One out of four has been beaten by her romantic partner.
And yet…
Women are amazing because they never quit. Women haven’t quit providing two-thirds of the world’s unpaid labor. Women haven’t quit giving birth to the world’s next generation. Women haven’t quit advocating for equality, freedom, opportunity and dignity. Women haven’t quit changing our world for the better.
Yes women have come a long way – NO I do not need a condescending pat on the head to remind me.
Let’s not aim just for ‘better’. Let’s aim for ‘equal’. Let’s aim for ‘fair’. We, women, should be free to choose what we wanna do/be/go/marry/love.
There is still a substantial difference between male and female employees.
Only five percent (5%) of S&P 500 companies have female CEOs, And it’s not much better at other leadership levels. Only 11% of top corporate earners are female, 21% of board members are women, and women only account for 26.5% of executive roles.
Parents in certain countries still only push for sons to be educated but neglect their daughters’ ambitions. Don’t look that far, this could be happening right next to you.
The #MeToo movement finally gave a voice to women on the abuse and harassment they suffer)
Here, I’m also talking about the male-dominated idea that women should all be girly-pinky-silly. Cultural change is impossible without support. And What do you mean by “support”? Support in this instance means encouragement from both men and women that we can work together to accomplish big things.
The idea is neither to let down the achievements made by men nor overrating the feminine accomplishments, the basic ideology is to create a more balanced world where both the genders can work together in a similar work environment taking inspirations from each other’s work and capabilities.
Till then women all around the world need to continue the vocal fight for equality. The road is still long, but we can do this.
We have flaws. We have shortcomings. But still we’re fighting. We’re still speaking. We’re choosing to see the strength in the women standing beside us, behind us, in front of us. We’re choosing to give those positive qualities precedence. We’re choosing not to be defeated. As a Woman, we have to juggle priorities and responsibilities, but these situations help us to grow stronger.
To all the beautiful strong women out there…don’t think you have to go it alone. Seek support – networking with other women and men. We must be brave to express our needs.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. -Eleonor Roosvelt
#InternationWomensDay #InspireInclusion #InvestInWomen #WomensDay
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
What does it mean to invest in women?
Telling the women in our lives how great we think they are? That we value the sacrifices they have made? (Usually though not necessarily only – a sacrifice of their aspirations, careers and earning potential in order to focus on family).
No, thank you. Just talk is no longer going to cut it. Roses and compliments are great, but it’s time people, leaders, organizations put their money, capital, resources on track instead.
This #IWD2024, I want to highlight the different ways we need to invest in women, and some organizations I have come across over the years, doing valuable work in some of these spaces.
1. Investing in women is making the space for women to become economic powerhouses, by giving them the resources they need, whether it is to acquire new skills or start a business. And that also means removing the undue burden on them to be all and do all at home (I’m looking at you, men…please step up.)
2. Investing in women is about giving girls an equal opportunity to get the education they deserve. And that means families have to be educated first on why this matters, and the root causes of poverty and concerns about girls’ safety addressed.
3. Investing in women means investing in women’s health, and that means big investments in public health – in a country of our size and disparity, promoting private healthcare alone is not going to work. Nor can beti bachao campaigns be a substitute for actually putting money into healthcare.
4. Investing in women means enabling more women to become leaders. And that means rewiring mind rooted in prejudices about what women can or cannot do, that means expanding the pipeline of women in middle management; for if women keep getting forced out, where are the women leaders to choose from?
5. Investing in women means investing in fundamental research around gender and policy, without which it is hard to recommend the best practices for building a gender-just society and teach others about the best things to do in their own work.
Today, let’s acknowledge some of the organizations doing excellent work in these spaces, often in difficult situations. Some that I have come across and been lucky to interact with include Prajnya Trust Protsahan India Foundation Givfunds and Mandeshi Mahila Bank
Over the years, it has also been my privilege at Women’s Web to act as an enabler and conduit for many such organizations, connecting them with our community in different ways. This has been one of the opportunities I am truly grateful for.
What is your definition of investing in women? What do you want to see more of? What do you think most needs changing?
First published on the author’s LinkedIn profile.
(Image shows a young woman looking ahead, courtesy Alaric Duan on Unsplash)
The adage “We will eat once they are done” encapsulates a harsh reality faced by many women in India. Prioritizing the needs of others, particularly family members, often leads to neglecting their own well-being, including adequate and mindful nutrition.
Millions of women in India face a silent struggle against malnutrition. Putting numbers in perspective, according to UNICEF in India, almost 50% of women of reproductive age are anaemic impacting their energy levels, immunity, and pregnancy outcomes. Studies have shown an estimated prevalence of PCOS amongst Indian women has reached a staggering 22.5% and is on a rise. Rise in Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency has led to deteriorated bone health and disorders like osteoporosis in older women. Dismaying as the statistics may sound, they paint a concerning picture of malnutrition affecting women across all societal strata.
As a Dietician I often meet women wanting to build a healthier lifestyle. While some might have specific physique goals, I ensure to educate them about the importance of understanding the foundational role of nutrition in supporting their overall health and energy levels. Apart from merely filling up nutritional gaps, I feel in India self-care involves rigorous re-conditioning of ingrained social practices and spreading in-depth awareness on women’s health. It’s an exercise to help them acquire a mindful approach towards nourishing their bodies, minds, and spirits.
I believe that minor tweaking of existent culinary practices easily culls out a way for all members in a household to prioritize their nutritional needs. Chalking out meal menus in advance, help family members inculcate a sense of shared responsibility whilst ensuring adequate food portions for all. This tool has also proven helpful in trickling down the ideology about healthy eating and equity amongst younger members of the family along with the importance of avoiding under- and over-nutrition, both of which contribute to malnutrition. As a thumb rule, I advocate locally sourced fresh produce and diverse food groups to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
‘So, is it enough if I adhere to a balanced diet norm to lead a good life?’, you may ask!
I say, while a balanced diet is essential for good health, it’s only one piece of the puzzle for a good quality life. It needs to be augmented by good care of mental health, regular exercises to boost immunity and energy levels, strong and fulfilling relationships and gratifying activities that always keep you going!
Self-care isn’t about bubble baths and face masks; it’s a holistic embrace of all that nourishes your mind, body and soul. It goes beyond trendy diets and expensive products, delving into the deeper meaning of prioritizing your own well-being alongside the needs of your family. It’s not about reaching parity with others, but about creating a vibrant and fulfilling life aligned with your true desires and needs.
This International Women’s Day, let’s commit to loving ourselves in every way, because self-love is the foundation for everything else
Dt Komal Patel
The Author is an Ahmedabad based renowned dietician. She believes that “a balanced and nutritious diet is everyone’s right, not a luxury”, and has dedicated herself into curating true-ingredients infused healthy tailored recipes for her clients and millet-based on-the-go clean packaged snacks to revolutionize the existing snacking landscape.
With a Bachelor’s in Food Science and Technology and a Post-Graduation in Dietetics (Nutrition), Komal’s expertise is further validated by roles like Brand Nutritionist for the Almond Board of California and Life Member of the Indian Dietetics Association. Her clients are testimony to her dedication towards empowering individuals to live healthy lives, breaking shackles of restrictions caused by prevalent lifestyle disorders like PCOS, diabetes, thyroid issues, etc. She is known to sculpt individuals to find their healthier selves by managing their weight and conditioning them into mindful eating.
Komal truly believes that food is the thread that holds the existence of humankind altogether and nothing about it should be taken for granted!
Trigger Warning: This speaks of child sexual abuse, rape, and murder, and may be triggering for survivors.
Why can’t men’s eyes see a 9-year-old girl as a kid?
If that had occurred, then the shocking incident in Puducherry wouldn’t have happened. A nine-year-old girl, a student of class five, went missing a few days ago, and a complaint was raised with the police in Puducherry.
After the missing complaint was received, a tip-off about a floating sack in a drain near the girl’s house gave doubt that led to finding her body 72 hours after her disappearance. Her hands and legs were tied together.
It was evident that she was sexually assaulted and cruelly murdered. Her parents along with the residents entered a protest to find the culprits. This incident raised shocking waves around.
Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan visited the family after the incident. Interacting with reporters later, the Lt. Governor said the government will ensure that the culprits get maximum punishment.
Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh to the family of the child. Protests by various political parties, non-governmental organizations, and students were held seeking justice for the child at several places.
They have been arrested under the provisions of POCSO, SC/ST Acts and on charges of murder and kidnapping. It was revealed that the accused were under the influence of drugs and further investigation is on. The girl’s funeral was conducted by the family around 9:00 am on March 7 with police protection.
The life of a little soul has left behind a deep scar in society and has revealed the truth behind the safety of girls in our country. So if drug supplies are being banned/stopped, can such incidents be prevented? Kids are to be viewed as kids. If they are seen as some usable object, then these incidents can never end. As expressed by many, the punishment needs to be quick and severe which should ensure a girl can walk with true freedom to breathe safely.
Image source: YouTube
Lets do a little calculation per month:
Morning tea/breakfast: 5,000 Cleaning/mopping: 2,000 Lunch: 8,000 Dishes: 2,000 Laundry: 2,000 Dinner: 8,000 Taking care of old age people : 10,000 Child day care work (even for your own child): 15,000
TOTAL: 52,000 /-
All this excludes the time, love and dedication a women involves in a full day’s homemaker work.
If a woman starts charging money for the work she is already doing without expecting anything in return, she can very well earn salary which a normal person earns while working outside for a 9-5 job.
At least their timings are fixed, work is fixed, unlike what she is doing, more than what people expect from her!
But that is rarely going to change because girls by birth are taught these things and still in this era also are EXPECTED to do this, and after managing all these errands, she is ALLOWED to work outside to work and earn. As a family now can only run if both partners are earning.
At least, we can respect for the work any homemaker is doing, irrespective of gender. We need to accept the word HOUSEHUSBANDS as normal as we are habituated to listen the word Housewife. There should not be a guilty feeling in men if they are called by this name. Accept and Grow together should be moto of any partner of this generation.
Women’s Day is being celebrated on 8th March with full vigor and enthusiasm. Women’s Day does not entail being treated to a lunch or dinner; or buying clothes or jewelry. I wish the shops would stop this false advertising of this day. Respect women for who they are and not treat them as slaves who cook and take care of kids.
Women’s Day had started in the 1848 when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott started a convention where they demanded religious, social, political and civil rights for the women. The 1908 garment workers strike showed the terrible working conditions of women in USA. 28th February was United States first Women’s Day to protest against the ill treatment of women. The United Nations formed the “Fundamental Freedoms for All” charter on 24th October 1945 to eliminate discrimination based on sex etc and give equal fundamental rights to all. Eleanor Roosevelt urged women to become actively involved in national and international affairs of the country. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) fosters equality of women in all fields and ensures women get their rights. Throughout history we have seen a progression of the fight to give women an equal right. Yet today also men are paid more than women in the workplace and given leverage.
This year the Women’s Day theme is to “Inspire Inclusion” where women’s voice will be heard and given importance. A mere granting of a seat in the assembly is not sufficient. The women’s ideas need to be implemented. Today a man still buys a house in his own name and the woman is just living in his house. The woman still gets the kid ready for the school while the man goes to the gym. The man is busy so the kid goes for tuition. The woman has to take care of every relative that visits the house irrespective of whether her health is good or not. A woman’s can never be busy in pampering herself. She always has to first take care of everyone’s needs. She can only work but when trouble arises she has to give her home the importance. She is married and cannot perform her parents’ last rites. The puja is always given in her husband’s name. A single woman is still looked down upon society and people will keep pestering her to get married. She cannot disclose her marital problems to anyone. Divorce is a shame she brings to her parents. She has to have a baby or else is looked down upon as a useless woman. Her skills are limited to cooking and home decoration.
A woman has many needs rather than just being treated to a meal or being gifted an attire. Today also women struggle to find a safe and clean restroom outside. There are only 30 percent of women researchers in science. They are paid less than men in every arena. There is a 21 percent probability of women being quoted in scientific journals. Women are only 34 percent in the workforce of STEM. Women have comparatively less exposure to science and computers early on in school. Only 22 percent of women are chefs in the world. A woman always struggles in the restaurant world and everyone feels she is better being a waitress. History today also supports the notion that women cannot take the pressure of being in a professional kitchen. Women cannot work the long hours in the professional kitchen and they are harassed in the kitchen. A woman swimming in the pool attracts more negative attention and there are people creepily peeking and watching her swim. A woman is not felt safe if she does not cover herself fully.
A woman needs to have the equal rights as a man from childhood. She should be allowed to study with the same vigor as a man. She should be given more exposure to all fields like art and science. The focus should be on quality education. Women should be allowed to realize their full potential before they can compete against men in the professional world. Women need a safe world where they can ride back home in public transport at night without being molested or raped. Their clothes should not be made fun of. When women are given economic freedom then the inequalities are slowly reduced. Why do 12 percent of women spend their free time in doing housework in comparison to 6 percent of men doing housework in their free time? Research has proven that women are paid less in jobs they excel at. Women even get less pension. We celebrate Women’s Day yet we forget to ensure that women are given equal rights in every arena of life starting from birth.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
I never tend to question their choices. That dependence on someone does not allow women to be free. It makes them remain in their comfort zone. Women allow themselves to be defined as good girls. For every woman in this country, this kind of recognition is needed at different points in time. And nobody has ever escaped from this. But today I can recall three women, especially those who shaped me and enkindled the power in me to defend the rights of women in this country.
I am a woman who was born and brought up in the company of women. My maternal grandmother, mother, and aunts were the people who reared me, as my mother did not have brothers. I saw my grandmother, a hard-working woman whom I never saw, sitting idle. She had to raise three daughters on her own as her husband was an alcoholic.
I do not know who encouraged her to educate her daughters. My mother and one of my aunts completed 12th grade. My mother became a professional typist but was never allowed to work after her marriage. My aunt, a studious girl, managed to reach the teacher training school but was never able to complete it as the training school was closed by the government.
Fortunately, my aunt became a nursery schoolteacher, and as my first teacher continues to do her job.
My grandmother, being the first pillar of my life, continues to inspire me even after her death. Though she was illiterate, she knew very well the importance of education. She worked from morning till night selling idlis (south Indian breakfast), collecting and selling firewood, being a construction worker, and being a smale scale businesswoman selling clothes.
She had to face the pain of being a single mother and raising three daughters; among them, the last one was an asthma patient, and the village assassinated her character. She faced verbal abuse; as far as I know, she neither received help from her family nor her husband. But all that she could give to her girls was a decent wedding. She never had good clothes, jewellery, or anything. Even she could not afford to have a good rest at night, as her whole body used to hurt at night.
As for me, she is the first woman who inspired me to stand firm and fight for the rights that I was denied as a woman. Till today, I have continued to do so.
Never give up. Whether the time is right or not, your integrity is built upon your never-give-up attitude. I saw my grandmother crying over her miseries, but I never saw her give up, even when she was suffering from stomach cancer. Her death bed did not allow for resting; even though she was sick, she was taking care of my young cousin.
My mom is the eldest child in her family. Though she was born poor, both her paternal and maternal families pampered her a lot. She was the first one to receive education until the second grade. Her policy in life is that education will shape you into a better version of yourself and that you should never be dishonest. She was sharp in understanding our behavior. She never gave us anything more than we wanted.
She has a strong will to achieve what she wants for her children. She had to sacrifice her desires to give her children a good education. I still remember my mother stopping me at the door of my house to ask how I wrote the exams. She never fed us more than was necessary.
She was always economical; she planned things, spent within the income of my father, and never purchased anything for herself.
She has been married for 37 years but did not buy a silk saree until my brother was 13 years old. She never asked for anything for herself, but her happiness was always seeing her children excel in discipline and acquire the best education. It was my mom who always gave me the freedom to do what I wanted.
She is a strict mother but a good educator. More than being a mother, she remains a good guide, a hope giver, and an ardent supporter. Though she does not acknowledge her capacity often, it is from her that I inherited the art of perseverance in life.
I met her at the age of seventeen and looked at her with prejudice, thinking that she judged others easily. I felt I was under surveillance in her presence. Life is unpredictable, and at times we are with people who are never destined to be. She is a foreigner, my mother’s age.
Her maturity and ability to guide others are excellent. She asked me one day if I was interested in watching the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ movie, a novel written by Jane Austin and starring Keira Knightly and Mathew Macfadyen. She said that the movie is based on a 19th-century novel. I immediately answered her ‘No’. She told me you would surely like the movie. Do not judge before experiencing it.
I watched it out of compulsion, and that movie became one of my all-time favorites. I stayed with her for 10 years. I saw in her my mother—a guide and a well-wisher. Being a foreigner, her opinion and mine collided often, but she was able to understand my character, my strengths, and my weaknesses.
It was in 2010 that I was affected by chicken pox. I was given a separate room for a month. The only consolation was a laptop in the room. I started writing everyday quotes and poetry and started translating books from English to Tamil. She always encouraged me. Whenever I felt lonely in a metropolitan city like Delhi, she handled me well and made me find out my talents.
She reviewed my writing and gave me suggestions to improve it. Whenever I came home failing the interviews, she encouraged me to do better. She made me give counseling at the age of 22 to a 45-year-old man, as she felt I could help him be better. She has been my guardian angel all these years.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, went to her country for treatment, and came back to India just to make sure that we could not be without her. Whenever I felt helpless, she used to talk to me for hours until I became okay.
She is stubborn, but at the same time, she was my fairy godmother who guided me when I needed her the most. The courage she instilled in me keeps me going through my ups and downs. I would not have survived in Delhi without her help and guidance. Though we part ways, she remains the strongest pillar of support.
There are always people who say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
May this Women’s Day liberate women from this notion and find other women the pillars of support.
Image source: by Deepak Sethi from Getty Images Signature Free for Canva Pro
Textiles and handlooms of India embody the essence of the country’s rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity. Renowned worldwide for their quality, these textiles showcase intricate designs and vibrant colors, woven into fabric using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Each region offers its unique weave, from the fine silks of Varanasi to the block prints of Rajasthan and the exquisite handloom cottons of Bengal.
These textiles are not just pieces of cloth but art forms that tell stories of the land, its people, and their beliefs. The craftsmanship speaks of India’s dedication to preserving its ancestral arts, making Indian handlooms a testament to the country’s unparalleled legacy in textile artistry.
Raisen, a hidden gem in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is no different. Being a unique blend of historical charm and cultural richness, Raisen is well known for its tales of bygone eras. But it is also a cradle of traditional textiles and art.
The local artisans excel in crafting beautiful fabrics, each piece telling a story of skill and tradition passed down through generations.
In the heart of Raisen district, a remarkable story of empowerment and resilience is unfolding. The women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the Silwani block have set an exceptional example of self-reliance, demonstrating the profound impact of a little guidance and financial support.
These women, with their exceptional sewing skills, have drawn attention not only from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore but also from the Reliance Foundation. The journey of these women was not so easy going. From learning the basics of sewing to mastering it, the story has been nothing short of inspiring. Within just three years, these members of the Ajeevika Mission’s SHG have made a significant mark with their skills that outperformed everyone.
The project has extended its reach to nearly 14 villages in the Silwani block generating income for around 300 women. These hard working women have dedicated themselves towards the work so passionately that over 40 women are continuously engaged in sewing work at a given time.
Their hard work paid off, resulting in the initiative to attract students from IIM Indore. The Reliance Foundation has also collaborated with the SHG to provide special and advanced training in sewing techniques and handling advanced machines.
The introduction of advanced sewing machines has enabled these diligent women to produce over 1,28,000 school uniforms, significantly improving their economic status.
Rekha Namdev, a SHG member, shared, “The journey from having no work to becoming proficient in sewing, has led me to a substantial improvement in the financial situation. Today, we stitched 1,28,000 uniforms and have made good earnings altogether.”
The happiness and pride in their achievements are evident among all members. Rajni Vishwakarma, another member, joyfully expressed, “Earlier, I was battling even to earn basic labor work. But now, joining the group has elevated me and other women to a better economic status, even reaching the stage of becoming lakhpati.”
The transformation in their lives is evident, with members highlighting the improvement in their living standards. The association with the SHG has enabled them to earn comfortably, with members bringing home ₹10-12 thousand easily.
The journey began with training from the Gramin Swarojgar Training Institute (RSETI), where 85 women were trained, and 26 of them received loans of 30,000 rupees each. This support allowed them to purchase modern sewing machines, marking the beginning of their journey towards empowerment.
The continuous encouragement from Anju Bhadauria, the CEO of Raisen’s Zila Panchayat has become the icing on the cake. Expressing her joy, she shared, “It is extremely grateful that these women’s capabilities are getting recognition by institutions like the Reliance Foundation. This recognition not only boosts their morale but also marks the potential within these women to achieve great heights.
The story of these women from Silwani block is not just about sewing uniforms; it’s a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and the journey towards self-reliance. It stands as a testament to the fact that with the right support and opportunities, women can transform their lives and even communities. This initiative not only provides them with a sustainable source of income but also embeds a sense of pride and confidence, proving that given the chance, women can lead the way in creating a better future for themselves and their families.
Ravivar Vichar has made a commitment to bring forth the stories of every such woman and make us aware of their lives.
In this WomensWebXMahilaMoney impact series, we bring you entrepreneurs like these women from Raisen, MP, who had not just the ambition to grow, but took the steps needed to bring their dreams to fruition. Apply for a loan of up to 25 lakhs to fuel your business growth by downloading the Mahila Money App on Google Playstore or visiting the website here.
Image source: by Bhupi from Getty Images Free for Canva Pro
Trigger Warning: This speaks of rape, child sexual abuse, trafficking, and violence against women, and may be triggering for survivors.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” – a quote attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Her silence is just another form of pain…… a pain of being born a girl child, transforming into a woman who is always taken for granted for everything. Not only the family but also some people with their sick mindset make s it difficult for a girl to live and survive even denying their human rights and dignity.
We often get to read about the trafficking in newspapers and other media. Yes, trafficking; this word does not mean as simple as it sounds. Girl trafficking is a worldwide and grave human rights concern that is characterized by financially viable maltreatment through vigor, swindling, and compulsion.
Once trafficked, these minor girls are forcefully pushed towards the global sex trade business.
There are roughly 8Lacs populace trafficked across global precincts annually and, out of these, almost 80 percent are women or girls and 50% are under-age. Hence making it as the fastest-increasing form of trade worth $32 billion annually.
Trafficking in India is undoubtedly one of the highest budding areas of well-structured crime, making it the third largest income revenue generator in this category of crime after narcotics and arms illegal business. What makes this organized category of crime business distinctive is that women and girls forced into sex trafficking bring in earnings for their pimps and traffickers over a great number of years, unlike the income or financial benefits from drugs and narcotics that are for single use only once.
According to a report published by the National Crime Record Bureau in 2020, more thousand trafficking cases were reported in India. As per the data availability Maharashtra bags the highest number of trafficking cases in the country with more than 171 cases in 2020; followed by Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan & Assam with 171,140,128,124 cases respectively.
She shares her experience of having come across cases of trafficking. She says “We do see cases of a trafficked girl as a psychiatry practitioner with severe psychiatric problems and most of them are brought by someone distantly known or from shelter homes; as I feel they might be facing agony to reveal everything or share it due to the trauma handled and fear deep down inside.”
“Recently a 19-year-old unmarried female victim was brought to me by her married sister with complaints of panic episodes who had managed to flee away from the custody of traffickers in a metro city. Her story was so gloomy that I just couldn’t help being disturbed myself.” Says Dr. Niska while sharing the story.
She further adds, “She was sold to a center by her friend who had promised to marry her after she ran away with him with dreams of a happy and blissful life with her love. But to her despair he was a cheat. The agony continued in the dismay that the people who sought help from; abused her to bits and pieces.
She hated what she was experiencing, but didn’t know how to escape being trafficked by her boyfriend. Managed to run away from that place after having a death-like experience, she was not even in the mental state to go back to her parents which further led her to the trauma or thought of ending her life as well. Further, as a medical practitioner, I had to prescribe her medicines along with a few counseling sessions by my psychologist.”
Talking about the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of a girl after being rescued from trafficked, Dr. Niska says, “The mental condition frankly speaking would be like someone who got a life after death like experience and unfortunately her existence can never be the same as before. She faces a plethora of mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder with flashbacks disturbed nights, arousal, fear, panic episodes, anxiety, restlessness, and depression and to add to the plight she often loses her outlook towards life the way she perceives society, others & even family members friends or for that matter even health or police professionals there as savior she cannot trust or feel free to share her agony.”
“As a psychiatrist, the first-hand treatment we give is to help her ventilate with supportive psychotherapy with subsequent sessions to assist her get her identity & respect back, motivate and empower her; of course with supportive medicines as well. Make her understand that it is not that ‘she’ is guilty of anything and need not fear or feel embarrassed of the wrongdoing of others”, says Dr. Niska.
“These cases need to be dealt with respect; we need to listen to what they have to say and what they want to convey without being judgmental, first take care and help them get back from their psychological emotional as well and even physical trauma, let them heal in a protective environment as these are instances of permanent scar and if at early stage of their life they often cannot understand or express or even learn sexualizing behavior beyond their age, fall prey to severe anxiety depression, STDs or even substance addiction and illegal acts
So I as a psychiatrist just wish that with education assertiveness legal aids shelter we can empower women but that has to be a collective community step with the help of government’, adds Dr. Niska.
As a female and someone powerful and placed well in a secure environment when I come across such cases, it feels that it is of utmost importance for us girls despite so much development and big talks about the basic need for our safety and what to talk if such abuse happens with someone close to us.
Also, there is a need to empower girls by giving them sex education knowledge for legal aid and confidence to seek help without shame even if something goes wrong
These often come under disorders of extreme stress and urgent care and help is required with the help of all to let them get back to life and feel a little better.
Although the government of India has diffidently amplified anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, that remained derisory as compared to the range of the issue. Indian penal law criminalizes sex trafficking and other forms of trafficking that exist in the trade.
Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with the criminalized trafficking offenses that involve mistreatment like any physical exploitation or any type of sexual abuse, slavery, or practices similar to slavery, and servitude. It involves penalties ranging from seven to 10 years of incarceration and, a fine for offenses relating to an adult victim that is again same for those involving a child victim except for the period of imprisonment to 10 years.
Incongruous to international law, under Section 370 of IPC it is mandatory to showcase the use of force, fraud, or coercion to represent a child sex trafficking misdemeanor and therefore it did not criminalize all forms of adolescent sex trafficking. However, Sections 372 and 373 of the IPC do not need any such means to criminalize the exploitation of any underage child through prostitution, thus addressing this gap helps the victims.
Other than the above-mentioned laws our judiciary has another major act –The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO). This act protects any underage child from any kind of sexual assault, harassment, and pornography-related offense with the establishment of Special trial courts for matters related to the crime or offenses and any kind of incidental thereto.
Talking about the efficacy and lackluster of our system, Ms. Ria Yadav, Legal Practitioner at High Court & Supreme Court, says, “Although the existing child trafficking laws are adequate to prosecute persons indulging in these activities, it is the promptness of investigative authorities and statutory bodies that is of the essence.
In Mumbai, for example, more than 30,000 cases are pending before the Child Welfare Committee. The CWC deals with cases of trafficked children as well. If Mumbai has this pendency rate, it’s impossible to imagine what happens in the rest of India.”
To prevent child trafficking as I quoted Martin Luther King Jr. above we should all raise our voices & support to encourage parents & families to focus on their kids’ edification, and spread awareness among them and communities about the bad effects of child trafficking. We all must join our hands together to form surroundings everywhere every child can have the benefit of a safe childhood.
The above-mentioned things are not enough we need the best possible support from our government as well, and it is a clear fact that there is a steady lack of adequate political will across the country to deal with trafficking which stymied efforts universally.
Lack of answerability for delinquency and bribery existed at various levels of government, contributing to the perception of widespread impunity for trafficking crimes. Shelters run or funded by the government are inadequate in numbers and whatever are available faces serious shortages of space, monetary resources, and a skilled workforce.
Other than that the Non Governmental organizations those were dependent on donor contributions remained helpless and those who received government funds on papers their disbursal many times for numerous years.
We need to ensure the economic security that has led to unemployment due to the pandemic and placed considerable burdens on financially helpless sections of society to meet their daily needs of food and shelter, thus increasing their helplessness to trafficking. This situation therefore led to the re-trafficking of Women and children in some jurisdictions.
Last but not least, I would only like to say that it is a curse to us that not only leaves emotional and physical scars but also from post-traumatic stress disorder, apprehension, dejection, anxiety, nightmares, wakefulness, flashbacks, a tendency to startle easily majorly known as Stockholm syndrome, to struggles with core violence, the survivors face an array of issues that they live with and that calls for appropriate therapeutic and psychosomatic care.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
Parents get their daughters married with so many dreams, use all their savings sacrificing their future, and do everything to please the groom’s family but still people are hungry for more. The fear of our beloved society is instilled so much that they ignore the dirty acts of the groom and family further putting their daughter’s life in danger.
I work with an African Diplomatic Mission, and sometimes I feel ashamed to make eye contact with them when they question me on the honor killing and women’s safety in India. Their culture may be much more open than ours but at least they respect woman and protect their dignity.
India, is well known for its gods and goddesses but what do you do when a woman is born? Either you force the mother to kill the baby or kill herself. I have seen our elders cursing western society for several things but do they ever realize how dangerous our society is? Killing women for inter-caste marriage, giving birth to a girl, bringing less dowry, living on her terms and what not reason.
As much as I am blessed to be born in India, at times I am equally disappointed by such behaviours and cruelty of Indian society. A woman sacrifices everything for her family and on the contrary the family tortures and disrespects her.
On International Women’s Day I urge everyone to pay gratitude to the woman/women in their house. Your thank you can bring a smile to their face.
Image source: by kieferpix from Getty Images Free for Canva Pro
Please enter your email address