Landmark Law for Indian Women to be Signed by President

Over the next few days, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to sign a landmark law for Indian women. The law will impose harsh penalties on men who attack women as well as violate their rights to privacy. This law, which was passed by both houses of Congress on Thursday, is hoped to be the answer to the rising number of rape cases, assaults, abuse and even incidences of stalking and voyeurism all over India.

However, there are quarters which say that  the law is not as “pro women” as it is hoped to be. Loopholes in the law could only open women in India to possibly more abuse.

Amendment to Indian Criminal Law

In a country which saw women as an inferior class for over hundreds of years, this bill is said to be a milestone in asserting gender equality as well as the basic human rights of women. Indian Women’s Rights activist Vrinda Grover said the passing of the new law has taken women “ quite a few steps forward.”

The new piece of legislation will amend India’s current criminal laws and will push for harsh punishment for sex offenders and for sex crimes. The most shocking development here is that legislators agreed to impose the death penalty for repeat sex offenders. North India is experiencing an increased number of gang rape cases in recent years. The most recent publicized one was a physiotherapist who was gang raped inside a moving bus on Dec. 16. She died from her injuries less than three months ago and has led to the public clamor for a comprehensive law that will protect women from such kind of abuse.

Besides expanding the definition of rape, the law also includes punishment for disrobing, stalking, voyeurism, and harassment among other things. Additionally, lawmakers are also striving to create a police force and a judicial system that will not only be responsive, but also sensitive when it comes to handling cases of crime against women.

For their Mothers and Sisters

Members of the Indian cabinet were very pleased with the passing of this new bill. They claimed that this is a gift to the millions of mothers and sisters in the country who will be walking the streets of India a little more securely in the days to come. However, Grover’s concerns is more on the implementation and enforcement of the new policies. She stressed that India requires plenty of other amendments to its criminal laws .

Clearly, this is not a one off thing. It would take a dozen more laws before India’s criminal laws can be considered truly protective of its citizens. The good thing is that the Parliament responds to public clamor and subsequently, public pressure, to change things that no longer work for them.

As for the new law, other quarters say that it is still sorely lacking. For one, it does not include provisions to elevate cases of child trafficking to rape. It also does not offer a comprehensive plan to protect women against sexual harassment in public or in the workplace.