Girls in India are often taught that if something bad happens to them, then they are the ones treading on the wrong path somewhere. This is the reason why girls and women are hesitant to speak up about issues that they are facing. They fear that they will be humiliated at home too. In the case of crimes against women, Uttar Pradesh’s condition is the worst. Many incidents have been globally covered recently, such as the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.
Statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau show that on an average, there are 106 rape cases in the country every day. Four out of every ten victims are minors and the most shocking is that in the 94.6 per cent of these cases, the accused is known to the victim/survivor. When such figures are in front of us, the need to empower girls is increased even more. In the current social structure, the culprit is convinced that the accused would not say anything to anyone. If she does though, the family would suppress the matter to protect the dignity of the family.
In India, crimes against women include domestic violence, assault, sexual harassment etc. Most of these cases are not reported because many women believe that it is their destiny, it’s part of being a woman. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of crimes against women in India is considerably high. In 2014, 3,39,457 cases of crimes against women were reported across the country, whereas 3,29,243 in 2015 and 3,38,954 cases were reported in 2016. In these three years, the maximum number of cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh.
But a step has been taken towards ensuring speedy justice for women with the establishment of fast-track courts in all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh. Because of this, more incidents at the village level are coming out in the fore. There are 150 women’s courts in 36 districts of Uttar Pradesh. More than 100 of these have been established in the last two years so that their importance is understood. The first women’s court was established in Saharanpur in 1994. These courts were not established under any judicial system but on the demand of women and in fact it is women handling these cases. They are given training by the women’s general. Surprisingly some of these women are uneducated, but they are aware of their rights. The plaintiff woman takes her application to them and subsequent action is taken. These women usually meet in the development section of the office once in fifteen days. A register is maintained. The case number is given and proceedings begin. The other side is called and if the matter is resolved by negotiation, then the agreement is made. Otherwise, the women’s court registers a police case on behalf of the plaintiff and also works with the administration to take action. The High Court also accepts the records of women’s court and the documents are provided as evidence in the case. Their networks are very strong and the other side cannot choose to ignore them. Many complex cases have come out because of the efforts of these women’s courts.These women get local support and recognition. If a rape survivor is ostracized or neglected by the villagers, these women pay visits to her. In order to encourage her to lead her life the same way, it’s insisted that she continues staying in the village.
In Jaunpur, a person raped his daughter-in-law and the matter was bogged down, but the ladies of the women’s court took it upon themselves to register the case and took action with the help of the police.
The survivor got justice and the court played its role of standing by her. All cases related to women such as rape, molestation, domestic violence, abandonment by husband, torture on giving birth to a daughter, exclusion from the property, snatching ornaments, etc. are dealt by these courts. Women’s courts try to resolve the matter by talking to the other side and creating a social pressure around it and registering all those cases which should go to the police. After that, it makes a fair investigation of the case. The administrative and police officers of the district listen carefully to them. The woman court ensures that after all the decisions in the case are made, the victim remains at home as per her comfort and she gets justified social recognition.
More than 50,000 cases have been received since 1994 and the women’s courts have decided in 12,480 of them. No fee is taken which is probably why the number of cases being registered is increasing.