Where can a girl or woman feel completely safe? Is there a place where she can just be herself—unafraid of predators lurking around, bystanders commenting on her conduct and dress, or the community constantly reminding her of her responsibilities? Can she follow her dreams without being stopped? Can she speak out without being interrupted? And most importantly, can she live without being judged?
As we celebrate Independence Day 2024, it’s time to move beyond the oft-repeated rhetoric and engage in some serious soul-searching.
As a child rights practitioner, I often highlight the inspiring journeys of young girls who defy the odds, emerging as trailblazers through sheer perseverance, grit, and initiative. However, behind these success stories lie the often-insurmountable hurdles that hold many others back. For every one girl who manages to break free from societal shackles, countless others remain trapped.
Take the case of Anjali Kumari from Samastipur, Bihar. Anjali had to drop out of school in Class 10 because her mother, Nirmala Devi, forced her to do so. Nirmala, who has confined her world to the kitchen, believed that educating Anjali beyond school would reduce her chances of finding a “suitable boy.” The curious neighbors had warned, “Uski padhai bandh karwado! Agar kuch unch-nich ho gaya, to parivaar ki badnami hogi!” (“Stop her studies immediately. If something bad happens, the family will be defamed!”)
Nirmala Devi agreed with them, fearing for her daughter’s safety during the long walk to school, where she would face lewd comments and unwanted attention. “Itni padhai karke kya karegi?” (“What will you do after studying so much?”) Such sarcastic remarks are a stark reminder of the patriarchal system in which girls like Anjali grow up. For parents, these fears are enough to send a chill down their spine. The decision between education and preserving the family’s honor is made, and the mother rests.
This scenario is all too real, even in this day and age. The safety of their daughters remains the primary concern of parents, especially in rural India. A survey conducted by us a few years ago revealed that the majority of parents in rural areas do not want to send their daughters to school because of the “perception of danger” that may befall them.
And it’s not just parents—many girls themselves hesitate to attend school or college because they don’t feel safe or secure. Sarita (name changed), from one of our intervention areas in Kolkata, shares, “The walk to school can be a big bother with catcalls, hooting, and shrill whistles. Even at school, we don’t feel entirely comfortable, especially during our periods. There are no separate washrooms for girls. It’s embarrassing, and there’s no privacy.”
Sunita (name changed), from the same intervention area, recalls being terrified of walking down the dingy lane near her slum after dark. She always felt as though she was being watched and followed. Her mother insisted she not step out of the house in the evening, but Sunita refused to accept this as a solution. She began taking karate lessons, and today, nearly three years later, she has conquered her fear. The budding karateka is confident she can overpower any attacker with her physical strength.
According to the United Nations, violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women. This includes threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
The most recent government data paints a grim picture: 4,45,256 cases of crime against women were reported in 2022—approximately 51 FIRs every hour. The safety and security of our girls and women, whether at home, in school, on the street, or even in the workplace, continue to be matters of grave concern.
A multi-faceted approach is needed to address this issue, carefully planned and capable of plugging the inherent flaws in our social fabric. Gender sensitization programs should be regularly held at schools, workplaces, and communities to challenge and change patriarchal mindsets. Well-lit streets, functional public toilets, and safe public transportation can encourage girls and women to lead normal lives. Much like Sunita, our girls and women should be encouraged to pursue self-defense training. Additionally, community policing initiatives, where local communities collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure safety, can help keep dark lanes secure.
As we enter our 78th year of Independence, it is imperative that the girls and women of our country get the opportunity to pursue their dreams, express their emotions, study and work as they choose, and live the lives they desire—without fear of repercussions, without inhibitions, and without being interrupted. Beyond the rhetoric, that is and will remain the true essence of freedom.
Author Trina Chakrabarti is the Regional Director, Child Rights and You (East)
