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More
than the letter of the law
The narrow legal definition of rape, recently reiterated
in the Sakshi case, has been criticized by Indian
and international women's and children's organizations,
who insist that broader interpretations are needed to
protect victims, and also to serve justice. Shivkami
RaviChandran says we haven't heard the last of this
debate.
Opinions
| Laws
Status
of Indian women's rights
The 1980s saw India making progress on rape and domestic
violence laws with women's groups pushing forward the
reforms agenda. And yet, protection and justice for
women victims of violence today is far from improved.
Find out why from well known Mumbai-based lawyer Flavia
Agnes.
Talks
|
Misuse
of 498A - much ado about nothing?
Allegations have been made repeatedly that the penal
code's protection against matrimonial cruelty is often
abused by women. But no evidence is given to support
this claim; instead police and judges rely more on their
personal opinions and knowledge, which are often coloured
and patriarchal, says Bikram Jeet Batra.
Laws
Beyond
violence and silence
It is important for women to reclaim their voices and
the right to defend themselves against violence and
harassment. Women must be encouraged to speak up, express
their own truths and create solidarity networks. Only
then will things change, says Deepti Priya Mehrotra.
Opinions
A
tale of two trains
What should men do when faced with crimes against women?
in two different situations, we have seen the extremes
- of indifference, as well as outrage. The immediate
results are sometimes ghastly; despite this, more men
must see violence against women as their issue too,
says Abhijit Das.
Remember
this?
For some people, introspection during the New Year is
preceded by amnesia. Thus, when there is nothing to
remember, there is nothing to regret. But the promise
of a peaceful future will not come from deinal of justice.
Kalpana Sharma. on Threatened existence: A feminist
analysis of the genocide in Gujarat.
Opinions
| Kalpana
Sharma
Sexual
harassment at work
Sexual harassment at work is an extension of violence
in everyday life and is discriminatory and exploitative.
How can women protect themselves, and how can they respond
when it occurs? What steps can employers take to prevent
it, and to deal with it firmly when it happens? Neeta
Raymond presents a practical guide.
Combat
Law, Issue 2.3
Men
and rape prevention
The fact that rape has also been prevented needs a public
record of its own. I refuse to believe that men don't
want to be part of that record. Men who think of themselves
as allies and supporters of women need to break the
culture of silence, says Radhika Chopra.
Women
Not
born to rule
Women encounter violence within the ostensibly 'safe'
walls of their homes every single day. Kalpana Sharma
reflects on the occasion of the International Fortnight
Protesting Violence Against Women and Girls, being observed
from November 25 to December 10.
Kalpana
Sharma | Opinions
Laws
against domestic violence and abuse
What specific provisions of law deal
with domestic violence? What rights do women have in
their matrimonial home? Can a woman refuse to have sex
with her husband? What can a woman do to prevent domestic
violence? Manushi provides answers to frequently asked
questions about legal protections for women.
Manushi,
Issue #137
Rape
and Delhi's urban environment
With no effective techniques of surveillance, and with
the urban landscape hindering the means to resist violent
attacks, the conditions for rape to occur with impunity
are created. Pratiksha Baxi urges planners and policy
makers to take deterrence seriously and create women-friendly
environments.
Delhi
| Women
| Laws
Making
space for her in litigation
In small towns and villages, there are
only a few lawyers - usually those supportive of a local
organisation or network - who take up cases of violence
against women. The clients don't pay well and the work
is often frustrating because the odds are heavily stacked
against female litigants. A legal resource group in
Maharashtra sets out to tackle the problem. Geeta Seshu
reports.
Maharashtra
Flowers
aren't enough
American-born Israeli actress Naomi Ackerman
is the creator of an internationally acclaimed solo
theatre play on domestic violence, Flowers Aren’t
Enough. Her presentations had a greater response
in India than anywhere else, says the actress who is
also a mediator and conflict resolution specialist.
A
cultural deficit
The shortage of girls is more than a sociological concern;
it demands that we change the mindset of doctors and
clients to create a socio-cultural milieu that is conducive
for the girl child’s survival, and monitor the activities
of commercial minded techno-docs thriving on sexist
prejudices, says Dr. Vibhuti Patel.
A
murderous arithmetic
It seems logical that if there are fewer
potential brides, dowries should tend to become lower,
women's status should improve. However, the 'importation'
of brides from poorer states - and sometimes even from
Bangladesh - keeps dowry rates in Haryana high, despite
alarming levels of female infanticide. Ranjit Devraj
reports.
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