Violence against women is on the increase in India

THIS MONTH’S TOPIC: “Violence against women is on the increase in India. What do you think can be done to reverse this trend?” Your take.

Violence against women is rooted in gender-based discrimination, social norms and gender stereotypes. Educating young boys and girls about these root causes can prevent it from happening. Many times women are unaware of how to combat such situations and hence they make peace by not speaking against it. Values and norms around gender equality must be forged.
Akshata Jaiswal (23)
Amravati, Maharashtra

It’s not only in India, everywhere the situation is the same. It’s “time to change our thinking”. Girls should not think that they are weak, they can’t protect themselves, they need someone else’s support, etc. It’s time that we recognize their strength and be bold enough to fight for our rights, strong enough to deal with our problems.
Divyakriti Masaun
Jhansi

Nothing is impossible. Hence increasing violence against women can be reversed if a few corrective measures are implemented, and harder and strict laws are enforced. The judgements should be such that the culprit must be penalized immediately. The government must take effective game-changer actions to change men’s mind-set. The time for delivering judgements must be reduced and the Constitution should also be amended accordingly.
Aditya Raj
New Rainbow Public School, Ghaziabad

Violence against women and girls is a physical or mental abuse committed against them, often by a male person. By educating people, we can generate awareness about violence as a serious crime. Punishment for abusing women should be made so strict that one will think twice and thrice before attempting it.
Anamika Singh (15)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

During the global pandemic and the nationwide lockdown imposed due to Coronavirus, women have seemingly suffered a lot more domestic violence, molestation, rape, etc. Home which is supposed to be a safe place too is not safe anymore. It is a matter of utter shame!
Senjuti Saibal Bhattacharya
A. C. Patil College of Engineering, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

To eradicate this problem, the mindset of the society towards women must be changed. They should be seen as dignified nurturers of society. Our education system must teach males to respect and support women right from childhood. Judicial action against rapes, molestation and other such crimes should be quick and stringent. Women need to be more alert and assertive.
Gargi Gupta (18)
Anta, Baran

Violence against women is a human right violation. To reverse this trend, gender discrimination should be stopped. No one has any right to disrespect and ill treat women. Also women must be strong enough to stand up for themselves. Until they do it for themselves, no one will support them. A woman can save herself better than anyone else.
Shrawani Ganesh Bawane (17)
Hinganghat, Maharashtra

Violence encroaches upon the freedom of the other person. Violence against women is rooted in gender-based discrimination and social norms. The best way to end violence against women and girls is to prevent it from happening, by addressing its root and structural causes. To reverse this trend all should develop respect and thoughtfulness towards each other, particularly women.
Namya Malhotra (13)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Normalizing the notion that violence takes place due to one’s physical or mental condition needs to halt. Awareness should be provided to women about support helplines and safety norms that women aren’t afraid to speak up and take action. Another key factor is education. Not only we must educate men to respect women but also educate women to speak up, take action and to support each other.
Melissa Pinto (17)
St Andrews’ College, Bandra (W), Mumbai

Violence against women is a disheartening reality in India; yet it remains unaddressed. It’s high time that we put a full-stop to it. Strict laws should be enacted and followed without any delay. Despite having strict laws, women can’t be safe and free as it is taken for granted that they are inferior and meant to serve their counterparts. Only when this thinking is altered, and women are fully empowered, violence against women will gradually disappear from India.
Diya Vinod Surjuse (16)
Wardha

Violence against women is highly prevalent in India. To reverse this trend awareness should be brought among men. Violence against women will not end until men become part of the solution to end it. What is desperately needed is to encourage men to actively stand up and oppose any form violence against women.
Disha Vig (16)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Controlling violence against women is on the national agenda. The Government is making frantic efforts to find solutions. The world has entered into another millennium, but from the dawn of civilization till date, most Indian women continue to be exploited and ill-treated. Gender-based violence threatens the rights of women.
Rashmo Mehta (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

Violence against women is a major problem across India, Women are considered as goddesses in the country; but when it comes to actual life, they are treated as objects. This is the sad state of our country. To reverse this trend, moral education must be insisted upon in all educational Institutions. Moreover, a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) must be introduced and must be meticulously enforced by the Government.
Hiba Khan
Stella Maris Convent School, Sultanpur, U.P.

From the dawn of civilization till date the women in India continue to be oppressed and ill-treated. She is dependent, weak, exploited and faces gender discrimination everywhere. Enacting severe laws can act as a deterrent against this crime. Community-based solutions based on moral values are the key to end this violence.
Khyati Aggarwal (14)
St Joseph’s Convent School, Jalandhar

Women and girls of all ages face violence in different ways. Rape, the most awful of these, is now on the rise and no strict actions are being taken against the rapist. These incidents only show that we keep empowering men, asking women to be only submissive. For a change, let’s empower our women.
Abigail Lean Dcruz
Stanes Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore

The first thing we can do in this regard is to consider women and men as equal. Not only girls should learn self-defence, but boys should also learn self-control. Any person who causes violence against women should be very strictly punished. Women should be allowed to make their own decisions
Unneta Mukhopadhyay (14)
Gospel Home School, Rishra

Violence against women is on the increase in India. Some of the practical ways can be suggested like, engage boys and young men to become agents of change. Train girls in karate and other martial arts so that they can defend themselves when there is a threat to their lives. Women’s protection policy needs to be introduced and followed very strictly. Embolden girls to speak out. Challenge rape culture by organizing marches, rallies and protests.
Unnati Singh
Stella Maris Convent School, Sultanpur, U.P.

The reason behind the rapid increase of violence against women is that women are considered as mere objects of pleasure rather than an asset. Very severe punishment to culprits must be insisted upon.
Sonia (16)
Fr Agnel School, Greater Noida