Statement against Sexual violence - Central Trade Unions and Samyukt Kisan Morcha | Aug 26, 2024

Press Release

The following statement was issued to the press jointly by the Central Trade Unions and Samyukt Kisan Morcha on 26th August 2024

Justice to the Victims and survivors
Unitedly Fight to End Violence Against Women
Violence against women - deep rooted issue
of patriarchy and commodification of women

The brutal rape and murder of a young medico in R G Kar medical college in Kolkata has shaken not only the medical community but the people across sections of society are outraged. There is still no credible breakthrough in the investigations. Stringent action against all the culprits is the demand of the masses. 

It is all the more shocking that during the last ten days after the Kolkata case there have been incidents of brutal sexual violence in several other parts of the country. A minor girl from Punjab was raped in a bus in Dehradun in Uttarakhand only five days after the Kolkata case. Two four-year-old children in a school in Maharashtra were sexually abused. There was a gang rape of a minor in Assam. 

As per the NCRB, about 91 women/girls are raped every day in India as compared to 68 in 2012. The unreported data must be much higher as in many cases, the victims are silenced with money and muscle power or many do not register their cases due to lack of trust on the police and judiciary and social stigma. 51 crimes against women are reported in every hour in our country.

R G Kar incident raises serious questions about the safety of women at workplace, especially in the health sector where they are supposed to work round the clock. It is also shocking that in spite, after a decade of the POSH Act most of the public and private institutions do not have ICs. Sexual harassment at the workplace is also on an increase to alarming levels. 

The Governments have the responsibility to ensure safety to women and prevent criminal offenses. Unfortunately, the Central government which has a larger role has shown criminal apathy towards the extreme sexual violence against women in Manipur and many times has sided with the culprits as in case of the wrestlers. A decade after the Nirbhaya case, most of the recommendations of Justice Verma Commission are not yet implemented. The Nirbhaya Fund has been cut down continuously.

India has witnessed the outrage against rapes several times in the recent decades. In spite of legislations, the system continues to be slow, nonresponsive and ineffective to the extremely critical situation. The very low conviction rates reveal the lack of seriousness to the horrible crimes. 

At the same time, violence against women cannot be viewed as a mere law and order problem. It has to be seen as a much deep-rooted issue of patriarchy and commodification of women. The question is how to ensure that every woman is safe and secure at the workplaces, public places and even at home.

We, demand speedy and time-bound investigation, trial and stringent punishment to the culprits of R G Kar rape and murder and all other cases. We demand of the governments to strengthen preventive measures, sensitise the police and system, ensure the investigations to be foolproof with no political or other interference, speedy trial and stringent punishments in cases of rapes and violence against women. We demand special legislation to ensure safety of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, para medial staff as well as ASHA workers and other community health workers at workplace. We demand the implementation of Justice Verma Committee recommendations, a substantial increase in the Nirbhaya Fund and strict implementation of POSH act in all institutions as well as in the unorganized sector.

We call upon society as a whole to fight out the patriarchal value system and stand together for the dignity to all women and men as human beings against gender discrimination. We call upon all our constituents to take up wide campaign against the violence against women and for equality and safety for women in society.

Issued by

The Ten Central Trade Unions
and
Samyukta Kisan Morcha