'Women suffer gender bias even 60 years after independence'

Expressing anguish over "vile views" about women aired by people well placed in society and rape victims preferring to suffer silently than report to the police, Delhi high court on Monday warned that "the buck should stop here" as women have continued to suffer gender bias even six decades after Independence.

Noting that there was "serious dearth of awareness" about equal status of men and women, it lamented "when it comes to imparting moral education in schools, our country takes a backseat. This bias is further strengthened at home. Parents and elders have a huge role in shaping their child and to see what he grows up to become."

A bench of justices Kailash Gambhir and Sunita Gupta made the observations while perusing reports of the Centre, Delhi government and various agencies on implementation of its suggestions regarding creating mass awareness to curb sexual offences against women and punishments for the same.

The bench had taken suo motu cognisance on the issue after disposing of an appeal filed by a man convicted for raping his minor daughter.

"Vile views aired by people who are placed well in the society as to how a woman should give in to rapists demands... More than six decades of independence hasn't bestowed women the emancipation from such gender biases that they truly deserve. The change has to start from scratch and the schools and homes should not keep passing a buck, rather the buck should stop here.

"Real education starts at home. A child who grows up seeing his mother and sister treated with respect and equality would always grow up to have the same approach," it said.

The court observed that there was a "basic lack and a serious dearth of awareness and sensitisation in our society" with regard to giving equal status to both men and women.

It also observed that people were "still apprehensive about approaching the police" and the law enforcement agency was "not considered to be even a last resort for help".

"They (victims) would rather be sufferers in silence than approach the police for assistance. This mindset needs a major revolution," it said.

“The role of girls or mothers in the family differs from family to family and the saddening views on gender and lack of gender sensitisation stems up in the minds of children from a young age when they see how the women in their family are treated. Education, be it at home or in school, has failed miserably and it is no surprise when the girl gets blamed for rape," the court said.

The bench lamented that despite its numerous guidelines, there have not been any noteworthy reform.

"We don't want these guidelines to remain mere words in black, without getting implemented in its true letter and spirit. The newspapers, TV channels etc are inundated with gory news of rapes and other crime against women. Even after the issuance of myriad guidelines, women are still unsafe in the city of Djinns.

"It pains to hear about stories of rape, sexual harassment, eve teasing being committed by the perpetrators of crime without any fear of law and order, let alone the fear of their conscience or creator," the court said.

Observing that the police was one of the most important pillars on which the foundation of a crime-free state is set, the court said the "need of the hour" was to develop faith amongst the people about the police.

"This effort has to be initiated from the departments end. Even as we grapple with serious issues and problems faced by women everyday in the capital, police continues to be evasive and are still not considered to be approachable by the victims.

"The last thought that a woman who is a victim thinks about is going to the police. Police lacks sensitivity to deal with issues relating to women. It is an actuality that police are not trusted in India," it said.

The bench said that to achieve all these goals, media has an imperative role to play as it was a mechanism to sensitise people and create awareness in them.

The court said media also plays a vital role in moulding the rooted gender biases and they should come up with innovative programmes, plays and jingles, to address the issue.

"Movies and TV have a great impact on people, so why not put them to more productive use. Why can't big actors be roped in to create awareness and promote gender sensitisation," it added.