Skip to main content

Women voters in Indian democracy: Whither strategy to implement Domestic Violence Act?

By Harasankar Adhikari 

According to the statistics of the Election Commission of India, the gender gap has been narrowed in terms of voter turnout in India, and women voters play an important role in the parliamentary election. It was almost equal in the 16th Lok Sabha Election ( male voter turnout was 67.09%, while female voter turnout was 65.30%). It was about 44 crore in 2019 (the 17th Lok Sabha Election). Historically, women voters influenced Indian politics.
It is seen that women in India are politically empowered, and they have their equal right to cast their democratic right without gender force theoretically, while practise tells the truth. Even the government has reserved 33% of seats for women in local self-government. But what would be the solution to the gender gap and gender discrimination in Indian society? Torture against women increases daily. It is evident that the status of women in Indian society still depends on and is determined by the male mentality towards women. Women are treated mostly as sexual objects, and they are still an easy component of sexual torture and violence.
Would the 18th Parliament assure the safety and security of women in India? Would it ensure equal rights and justice for women? Would it ensure equal pay for women for the same work? Because the 17th Parliament has felt it is necessary to meet the desired need and demand.
It is a shame that women's voter turnout and incidents of harassment against women in various forms are paralleled. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (2016), 39 women used to face violence every hour, and it is increasing. The report also stated that four women were victims of rape every hour. ‘Cruelty by the husband or his relatives’ is at an alarming stage. Sexual harassment of women in the workplace is remarkably in up-ward day by day.’ Where is the strategy for implementation of the Domestic Violence Act? Because women are still afraid to lodge any complaint.
Then, where is the democratic safe guard and protection for women in this largest democracy, while women's population has a great role in this democracy? Iswomen's protection meant by the enactment of laws only?
The government has taken the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and others to deal proactively with discrimination against the girl child. Unfortunately, it is the government's publicity that it is working at best to consider the peaceful survival of women in India because 47% of the allotted fund has been expended for communication-related activities, while only 5% was for girls education. Gender budgeting is also significantly insufficient to protect this valuable section of India.
Surprisingly, women are not given priority in planning and programming for their development. It is dominated by men. Their participation and representation in politics, as well as in India’s democracy, are important changes. But it is mainly dominated by their male counterparts. Therefore, the whole system is under the control of men. The empowerment of women is not being ensured because the women are still dependents of a male attached to them. The prime focus of the reservation and participation of women at the grass-roots level would be policy functions and an election agenda. The females would be used as puppets for the males. So, an increasing rate of violence against women and a lack of proper justice would not reduce the need for a safe and secure space in society. So, gender discrimination was, is, and will be. As a result, the time has come to consider that the issue of gender space sharing is urgently required. The female population should think further before casting their votes. And the education women should take more seriously, it should be at the forefront.

Comments

TRENDING

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा*  जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए। 

'A tribal lifeline': Health rights group asks Gujarat governor to halt Vyara govt hospital privatization

By A Representative  In a strong appeal to the Governor of Gujarat, the National Health Rights Alliance (NHRA)—an initiative of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)—has urged the state to halt the ongoing move to privatize the Vyara Government Hospital and Medical College in Tapi district. 

Censor Board's bullying delays 'Phule': A blow to India's democratic spirit

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  A film based on the life and legacy of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule was expected to release today. Instead, its release has been pushed to the last week of April. The reason? Protests by self-proclaimed guardians of caste pride—certain Brahmin groups—and forced edits demanded by a thoroughly discredited Censor Board.

CASR urges immediate halt to Operation Kagaar, calls for peace talks with Maoists

By A Representative   The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a collective of over 40 civil society organizations, has issued a press statement demanding an immediate end to "Operation Kagaar" and alleged state-led killings of Maoist rebels and indigenous people in central India. The group also called on the central government to create a conducive environment for initiating peace talks with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Maoist call for peace talks: A democratic opening amidst state repression?

By Harsh Thakor*  The readiness of the CPI (Maoist), a banned organisation, for peace talks is seen as signifying a democratic gesture that should be welcomed by all who uphold democratic values. The ongoing conflict under ‘Operation Kagaar’ in Central India represents a clash between alleged state aggression and self-defence by oppressed communities. Critics argue that the Indian government has violated constitutional principles by promoting corporate expansion in Adivasi regions under the pretext of development, endangering the lives and livelihoods of local populations.

How Mumbai University crumbles: Not just its buildings

By Rosamma Thomas*  In recent days, the news from the University of Mumbai has been far from inspiring – clumps of plaster have fallen off the ceiling at the CD Deshmukh Bhavan, and it was good fortune that no one was injured; creepy crawlies were found in the water dispenser that students use to collect drinking water, and timely warning videos circulated by vigilant students have kept people safe so far.

Old bias, new excuses: How western media misrepresents India’s anti-terror strikes

By Gajanan Khergamker  The recent Indian military strikes on Pakistan, dubbed Operation Sindoor, have sparked a storm of international media coverage. Several prominent outlets have portrayed India as the aggressor in the escalating conflict, raising concerns over biased reporting. This commentary critiques coverage by foreign media outlets such as The New York Times , Reuters, BBC, and CNN, which have often been accused of framing India’s actions as escalatory while downplaying or omitting critical context regarding Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. By examining historical patterns and current geopolitical dynamics, this analysis highlights the recurring selective framing, omission of evidence, and a tendency to favor narratives aligned with Western geopolitical interests over factual nuance.

Kashmiriyat lives: Beyond the prime-time lies

By Rimmi Vaghela  I am Rimmi from Ahmedabad. I contemplated this blog on April 27, 2025 in Jammu, when my plans of revisiting the paradise called Kashmir were shattered—not by fear, but by circumstances and sorrow. I decided to share my story with a heavy heart, hoping it reaches those who still believe in the warmth of humanity over the divisive noise of prime-time media.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Naveen Gautam creates history, becomes first Dalit youth to moderate session at UN

By A Representative  In a historic moment for Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, Mr. Naveen Gautam of the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) became the first Dalit youth to moderate a session at any United Nations forum.