gender based violence and killings remain an epidemic
Protests in India continue as anger and demands for justice and change ripple through cities and communities.
Thousands of people marched through various Indian cities on August 15 and 16, 2024, to protest the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government hospital.
The protests began after the body of 31-year-old Moumita Debnath was found with multiple injuries and signs of sexual assault in Kolkata.
Since then, anger has intensified. Nationwide outrage has boiled as people protest the ongoing violence women in India face.
There is also a demand for strict federal laws to protect healthcare workers.
On social media, reports of protests in India increased:
Thousands of Indians have taken to the streets to protest the rape and murder of a doctor in a government hospital in Kolkata city last week.
Women and girls in India have the right to live and work without fear for their safety. https://t.co/pAalIm3JjX pic.twitter.com/6SIkkM1uw5
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) August 15, 2024
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s largest grouping of medics, called for a “nationwide withdrawal of services” on August 15. Only emergency services will remain.
The nationwide strike and shutdown will last 24 hours starting on August 17.
The IMA made an official statement:
Press Release – 2, Dated 15.08.2024 pic.twitter.com/LcWQtRmK9x
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) August 15, 2024
A strike that doctors started on Monday was more limited, impacting only government hospitals and elective surgeries.
The one on August 17 will cause massive disruption for 24 hours. All outpatient services and treatment in government and private hospitals will be cancelled.
Dr Johnrose Jayalal, the president of IMA, said:
“Look, 50% of doctors are women, 90% of nursing staff are women.
“We want the government to take responsibility for ensuring their safety by declaring hospitals as protection zones [with security measures], just like airports and the courts.”
Public anger is high, and the strike and protest are seeking justice for the rape and murder that occurred in Kolkata.
The protests, strikes and rage also encompass a wider demand for the safety of medical professionals and women.
People stress the abuse and danger women face in India remains horrifyingly high.
A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a grim picture of crimes against women in India. In 2022, the country recorded 4,45,256 cases, which means 51 cases every hour.
Moreover, Reuters reported: “There were more than 31,000 reported rapes in 2022, the latest year for which data is available.”
There is a demand for better protection for women. In addition, it calls for a judicial system that ensures punishment deters such violence and murder.
Gender-biased violence, the brutal rape and murder of girls and women in India, has continued for years.
Protesters and campaigners say India’s government has failed to tackle sexual violence since the 2012 gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh on a bus in Delhi sparked nationwide horror and protests.
Since 2012, the Indian government has brought in changes to the criminal justice system.
The revised definition of rape now includes non-penetrative acts. The age threshold for rape trials was lowered, allowing 16-year-olds to be tried as adults.
However, gender-based violence and killings remain an epidemic. There is an ongoing need for urgent systemic changes and actions.
Criminal lawyer Rebecca M John, who has represented rape victims, stated some rapists still believe they can get away with their crimes.
“One of the factors would be the absence of fear of the law.”
Moreover in India, some judges may have become more reluctant to convict since the tougher sentences came in.
Rebecca John added: “If a judge feels that there is some doubt and he’s pushing somebody away for life without remission, or maybe even death, on evidence which doesn’t stand up to judicial scrutiny, not entirely at least, then he’s compelled to acquit.
“Whereas if he had some discretion in the matter, he could have lowered the sentence, ensure that he’s convicted.”
The ongoing stigma around sexual violence and a lack of confidence in the judicial system, also means reports continue to go unreported.
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