The conversation around women’s safety is often limited to preventive measures for women—self-defense techniques, carrying pepper spray, or avoiding certain areas. But what if the focus shifted to addressing the root cause—men’s behavior? Teaching men not to rape must become a central part of our efforts to combat sexual violence. Women’s safety is a complex issue requiring multifaceted solutions that go beyond stricter laws. We must work towards changing societal norms, ensuring accountability, and fostering respect for women and their autonomy.
The State of Women’s Safety in India
India’s staggering rates of sexual assault have once again brought women’s safety to the forefront of national discourse. In 2022 alone, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women—a 20% rise from previous years. These figures highlight the persistent violence and the continued sense of fear women experience daily.
Recent high-profile cases have further underscored the issue. Among them, the gruesome rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9th, 2024, shook the nation. The doctor’s body was discovered in a seminar hall, with severe injuries indicating sexual assault. The sheer brutality of this case, alongside other tragic incidents such as the rape and murder of a nurse in Uttarakhand and the abduction and killing of a 14-year-old Dalit girl in Bihar, has reignited a national conversation around women’s safety.
These cases highlight the disturbing trend of unchecked violence against women, despite the introduction of tougher laws following the 2012 Nirbhaya case. In the aftermath of these tragedies, the public’s call for justice has been loud, with protests, social media campaigns, and demands for greater accountability. However, despite the outcry, these incidents continue unabated, illustrating that law enforcement alone cannot tackle the deeper, systemic issues at play.
Addressing the Culture of Silence and Victim-Blaming
Too often, discussions surrounding sexual violence focus on the behavior of victims, questioning their choices and actions rather than holding perpetrators accountable. Victim-blaming continues to thrive, with scrutiny falling on what the victim wore, where she was, or what she may have done to “provoke” the assault. This toxic culture must end. No woman is ever responsible for the violence inflicted upon her, and it is time society shifts its focus from questioning the victims to addressing the behavior of the assailants.
The doctor’s case in Kolkata is one of many that highlight the deep-rooted issues surrounding rape culture in India. The reports suggest possible gang rape, with evidence of extreme brutality. Her injuries were so severe that they included a fractured pelvic girdle, which was revealed during the autopsy. The attack on her was not only a crime against her physical being but also a symbol of society’s failure to protect its women.
The response to these atrocities has often been protests and strikes, like the one called by the medical community demanding heightened security for healthcare professionals. Their demands include hospital security measures comparable to airport-level protocols. But while protests serve as an outlet for public frustration and a call to action, they are not a solution in themselves. We must dig deeper to address the underlying attitudes that foster this culture of violence and impunity.
Teaching Consent, Respect, and Equality
At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental failure to educate men and boys about respect, consent, and equality. The problem is not just the absence of strict laws; it is also the deep-seated patriarchal attitudes that dehumanize women and treat them as property rather than individuals with autonomy over their own bodies.
Schools and universities must introduce comprehensive gender-sensitization programs that teach the importance of consent and mutual respect from a young age. These programs should aim to dismantle toxic masculinity, challenge traditional gender norms, and encourage positive attitudes toward women. Boys and young men should be taught that women are not objects for their gratification and that respecting boundaries is not optional but essential.
Respect for women and the understanding of consent must become ingrained in our culture. Consent is not merely the absence of a “no,” but the presence of an enthusiastic “yes.” Every individual must understand that no one is entitled to another person’s body, and sexual contact without consent is a violation of a fundamental human right.
Legal Reforms and Accountability
While education is vital, legal reforms also play an essential role in ensuring that those who commit crimes against women are held accountable. Following the 2012 Nirbhaya case, India introduced stringent laws to combat sexual violence. These laws increased the punishment for rapists, including the possibility of the death penalty in certain cases. However, the implementation of these laws often remains inconsistent, with delays in investigations, prolonged trials, and a lack of swift justice.
Law enforcement agencies must be better trained to handle cases of sexual violence with the seriousness they deserve. Victims should be treated with dignity and respect, and their cases should be pursued with diligence and urgency. The government can also invest in emergency response systems and technology, such as the installation of CCTV cameras, to enhance public safety and prevent crimes in real time.
In addition to criminal justice reform, the medical community is calling for federal laws that guarantee the safety of healthcare professionals, especially women working late hours. Hospitals should be equipped with robust security protocols, ensuring that no woman—whether she is a doctor, nurse, or patient—should ever have to fear for her safety in a place of healing.
A Collective Responsibility
The issue of women’s safety is not limited to one case or one city; it is a reflection of what our society is becoming. If we continue to allow these incidents to occur unchecked, we are complicit in the violence that follows. Women should not have to live in constant fear for their safety; they deserve to live freely and with dignity.
As a society, we must take responsibility for fostering a culture that respects and values women. This responsibility extends beyond lawmakers and law enforcement—it involves parents, educators, community leaders, and every citizen. We must actively challenge the norms that perpetuate violence and create a society where women feel safe, respected, and empowered.
Protests May Bring Awareness, but We Need Action
While protests can highlight issues and bring attention to injustices, they cannot substitute for long-term solutions. It is not enough to simply raise our voices; we must demand action, both from our leaders and from ourselves. Concrete steps must be taken to ensure that women are protected, and that those who commit acts of violence against them are held accountable.
It is essential to go beyond the short-term solutions of outrage and marches. Governments must enact policies that prioritize women’s safety, and society must foster an environment where respect and dignity are non-negotiable. This means investing in education, reforming the justice system, and creating a culture where women can live without fear of harassment, assault, or worse.
Building a Future Where Women Feel Safe
The tragic case of the 31-year-old doctor is a reminder that we still have a long way to go in achieving gender equality and ensuring women’s safety. But it is also a call to action for all of us. The doctor’s story is not just hers; it is the story of countless women across India who have been silenced, dismissed, or forgotten.
This fight is not only about preventing future tragedies; it is about reclaiming the narrative for every woman who has faced injustice and ensuring that her voice is heard. We must rise against rape culture and work together to build a safer, more respectful, and more just society for all women.
This is a battle for our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and ourselves. If we do not act now, the cycle of violence will continue. It is time for us to rise—against rape culture, against violence, and for the safety, dignity, and respect that every woman deserves.