‘Laws to check atrocities against women don’t change mindset’

“There are laws to check on the atrocities against women and incentives are given at the birth of girl child but that doesn’t change the mindset of the people,” said Hooda,pointing out the dual character of the society that worships female gods but lacks respect for its women.

Television actress Meghna Malik said that she thought that the auspicious nine days of Navratri should be extended to the whole year and that the issue of girls being eliminated in the womb posed a grave concern. “As an actress I am proud of being part of a serial which had a strong influence on society. I have interacted with young students in my parent state Haryana and they have given me the hope for a change,” she said.

Journalist Donna Suri said that the reportage of crime against women has increased in the media,over the years,and stressed that various welfare policies and programmes of the state government require effective implementation.

Social Activist Harshinder Kaur said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO),68 per cent women were the victims of domestic violence and that India is emerging as one of the most unsafe countries for women.

When asked about the recent spurt of rape cases in Haryana,Asha Hooda said that crime against women is not confined to a particular state,but is a nation-wide problem that can be resolved through collective effort. “Comparison between states on the rising crime statistics is not a solution. We cannot eradicate crime from the society until we change the mindset of people and the women themselves come forward,” said Hooda.

She said that women have started reporting such incidents more in the past decade and to facilitate them,the state government has decided to depute a female officer of the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in every district and a woman helpline has also been started at the district level so that the women can express themselves without fear and hesitation. She further said that prosecutors have been appointed to give legal aid to women.

Hooda said that the laws against crime against women are in place,but they gain significance once the crime has already been committed. She suggested that women should acquire martial arts training to make them feel empowered. Parents should educate their sons on the equal status for girls,by way of a dialogue,expressed Hooda.