Equality Now’s Post

On the backdrop of the recent Kolkata incident, the article takes a look back at the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee. Our Partners, Shryeshth Ramesh Sharma & Kanika Chugh and Associate, Mohit Gupta share their insightful views in an article authored for Bar and Bench titled, "Why does the Indian Justice System fail to prevent sexual violence against women?” Read more at : https://lnkd.in/gPHVy3Pm #knowledgesharing #opinion #disputeresolution #judiciary #sexualviolence #lawfirm #skvlawoffices

"It wasn’t just because she was a woman, it was because of everything else that made her who she was". In 1992, Bhanwari Devi, a Dalit woman from Rajasthan, India faced unspeakable violence. She was gang-raped after attempting to stop a child marriage as part of her government duties. But what made her case unique wasn’t just the horrifying assault, it was the layers of discrimination that she endured because of her gender and caste. Imagine fighting for justice and having the legal system deny you justice, not just because you’re a woman, but because of your position in society - your caste, class, and background. That’s what intersectionality means. For Bhanwari, her identity as a Dalit made her even more vulnerable, not just to the violence itself, but to the biases ingrained in the systems meant to protect her. Despite her bravery, Bhanwari’s attackers were acquitted, with the court’s reasoning based on caste-based prejudice. This injustice sparked outrage and led to the creation of the Vishaka Guidelines, which paved the way for India’s anti-sexual harassment laws. 👉 But here’s the question: Have we truly moved beyond such ingrained discrimination? For countless women like Bhanwari, the barriers to justice are layered. Intersectionality shows us that it’s not just about gender, but the complex web of identities that affect how sexual violence is experienced and how justice is pursued. Her story is more than a tragic event. It’s a reminder! A reminder that sexual violence, when looked at through the lens of intersectionality, isn’t a single-issue problem. It’s a multifaceted struggle for those on the margins. How can we better address these complexities and dismantle the multiple barriers that prevent justice for all ❓ #intersectionality #BhanwariDevi #sexualviolence #caster #humanrights #genderjustice #vishakaguidelines #socialjustice #humandroits 

The shocking reality—India’s rape laws still leave men unprotected. The gang-rape of a man in Uttar Pradesh in 2023 has underscored a critical flaw in India's legal framework. While decriminalizing same-sex relations in 2018 was a progressive step, it left men, particularly queer men, vulnerable to sexual violence without adequate legal protection. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill offers a chance to address this, but will it truly cover the gaps? It’s time to rethink how Section 377 should be revised—not just for decriminalization, but to protect all survivors of sexual violence. #LegalReform #Section377 #BharatiyaNyayaSanhita #LGBTQIA+Rights #GenderJustice #SexualViolence #MenToo #HumanRights

Rape culture is not merely about crime; it is about the deeply entrenched beliefs that trivialise consent, normalise violence, and perpetuate toxic masculinity. In this article, we confront the root causes of rape culture in India—from victim-blaming to societal norms that devalue women. Real change requires more than just laws—it demands a cultural shift. Discover how we can challenge and dismantle rape culture for a safer India. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dPuS8ZvQ #RapeCultureInIndia #EndViolence #GenderJustice #ChangeInContent

The Nirbhaya case, which began in 2012, took seven years to reach a final verdict. The Unnao case’s conviction came only in 2019. These delays show how time itself can be a weapon against survivors. With over 3,00,000 gender violence cases pending, it's clear: the system needs urgent reform. How can India speed up justice for survivors? Share your thoughts in the comments. #BetterIndiaForWomen #Navratri2024 #GenderEquality #WomensSafety #WomenRights #SexualHarassment [Sexual harassment, social justice, Women’s safety, Better India For Women]

Male Predators and Female Prey: Next it can be your sister, your mother or anyone around us... #Rape, generally known as balatkar is a terrifying word in itself. In India, it is one of the most common criminal activities. So petrifying, humiliating, traumatic and terrifying the word rape is that it destroys the entire psychology and effects the deepest emotions of the person being raped. India used to believe in the concept of Maatri Devo Bhava which means to worship women or mother. But keeping in view the number of rape cases which arise every day in India the concept of Maatri Devo Bhava seems to disappear nowadays Rape is a crime not only against the victim as an individual but against society as a whole. So utterly shameful is the offence that it even is a crime against the basic human rights. There are numerous cases in history of developing India which shakes the soul out of a body like the Nirbhaya Case of the Capital city Delhi in 2012 where they not only raped her but also played with her intestines. In 2017 they didn't just rape but hanged her from a tree.Thus was in Unnao, and they named her Nirbhaya 2. In 2019 they didn't just rape but burnt her alive. This was in Hyderabad and they named her Nirbhaya 3. From ages to 2019, all we have done is burn candles, blacken our DPs, comment on a few FB pages, and forget within a few weeks during which numerous unheard rapes are being attempted everyday and we have Nirbhaya 4,5,6...and so on.😢 In 2024 they brutally raped and killed a resident doctor. It's time to punish the culprits instead of burning the candles. The road ahead requires a steadfast commitment from all stakeholders to work in tandem towards creating a safer and more equitable environment for women. This endeavor must focus on proactive interventions that tackle the underlying social, cultural, and economic factors that perpetuate gender-based violence. Strengthening the implementation of existing laws, enhancing gender sensitization programs, and providing comprehensive support services for survivors are crucial steps. Ultimately, the fight against crimes targeting women in India requires a sustained, concerted, and compassionate response from all corners of society. By working towards a future where women's rights and safety are inviolable, India can make meaningful progress towards achieving true gender equality and social justice. #MaatriDevoBhava

𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗻𝘆𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗮 (𝗯𝗻𝘀) i was raped from the ages 7 to 18. which makes me both a child sexual abuse survivor and an adult survivor of rape. i am writing this to bring your attention to something important. as one of the most vocal male/genderfluid survivors, i have been a magnet for people who have been through sexual abuse. i made news for the case of women that i stood for in the courts of india, but buried in my chest are a zillion stories of those who do not identify as a woman. rape of trans people, "corrective rape", rape of men by men, rape of intersex persons, and countless countless rapes of animals is something I have heard heard and heard. while pocso provides a legal recourse for children regardless of the gender or sex of the child, as an adult survivor, one would not have much recourse. as an lgbtqia+ activist and rape survivor, i'm deeply concerned about the gaps in the new bharatiya nyaya sanhita (bns), which replaces the indian penal code. while the repeal of section 377 was a significant victory, we must address critical issues: 𝟭. 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: - the bns fails to criminalize non-consensual sex acts against men, trans individuals, and women abused by non males. - it also omits laws against sexual offenses towards animals. anyone who knows me, would know that i make no bones about loving animals more than humans. 𝟮. 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: - the exclusion of section 377 leaves victims without legal recourse. - we need provisions that protect everyone, regardless of gender or identity or species. 𝟯. 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: - let's fight for a law that criminalizes bestiality and rape of those who are not female. - our compassionate nation must remember its duty to all living beings. this is enshrined in our constitution and we should stand up for the tenets of our constitution. 🤝 let's stand up for justice and inclusion. if not now, then when?

My article on caste based ritualised prostitution is prevalent in hindu social structure, where subaltern women are exploited and objectified in the name of traditional religious practises. This is the dark side of society that preserve systematic exploitation of marginalized women and ensures that they remain in the cycle of abuse and poverty. The intersection of caste and gender discrimination increase their suffering, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive social reforms and protections. Read here, Read here, https://lnkd.in/d9YAxmWK

This is a fantastic piece of research by Matilda Gosling and Sex Matters - we talked to leaders of women's sector organisations to find out about the impact of the push for "trans inclusion" on the sector. They told us about harms to individual service users -- it is not only about women being attacked, but about fear, loss-of trust, retraumatisation and self-exclusion when a service won't be clear about maintaining a women-only service. They told us about the personal impacts on them of trying to find a way through the legal and funding challenges, and being bullied and isolated for standing up for single-sex provision. A large part of the problem is that the law is no longer clear that public bodies need to consider women's interests (separate from the interests of transgender males). The harms from this are pushed onto the most vulnerable women in society, and those who have dedicated their lives to supporting them.

I agree, thank you for highlighting these gaps, harish iyer. The exclusion of vital protections in the BNS leaves space for vulnerability. We must push for legal reforms that encompass everyone and ensure that no survivor is left without justice. #inclusivity #legalrights #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #EqualityForAll #BNSAmendment Confederation of Indian Industry All India Management Association (AIMA) National HRD Network ETHRWorld Indian School of Business Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad ISB PGPMAX London Business School