New Delhi, March 23: A serious issue regarding women’s safety and the status of women’s commissions was raised in Parliament. Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal stated that a woman is raped every 15 minutes in the country. However, the institutional framework established to deliver justice to women is currently weak and struggling with a lack of resources.
She highlighted that the National Commission for Women was established in 1992, but it still lacks adequate authority, resources, and autonomy. Numerous parliamentary committees have pointed out these deficiencies over the years, yet their reports gather dust due to a lack of action, leaving women waiting for justice. Maliwal noted that the Jharkhand Women’s Commission has been inactive since June 2020, while the Delhi Women’s Commission has been nearly dormant for the past two years.
She questioned where women could turn for help when the very institutions meant to deliver justice are shutting down. Citing the operations of the Delhi Women’s Commission, she mentioned that between 2015 and 2024, the commission heard 174,000 cases. The helpline received approximately 4 million calls, and efforts were made to resolve these issues. Additionally, around 200,000 court cases were supported for rape victims.
Thousands of women and girls have also been assisted in obtaining victim compensation. Maliwal pointed out that the Delhi Commission’s team used to work around the clock. Even at 2 AM, if a call for help from a woman or girl came in, the team would respond immediately. She recounted a case where a 14-year-old girl was rescued from a large estate, where she was forced to work all day and received only one meal. The girl bore burn marks from a hot iron on her hands and had bite wounds on her face.
Maliwal emphasized that countless girls remain hidden behind closed doors, desperately needing help. She also mentioned a midnight raid at a hotel in Daryaganj, where 39 Nepali girls were rescued. Their passports had been confiscated, and they were being tortured, with plans to send them out of the country. The MP asserted that such significant operations are only possible through strong institutions, not just paperwork.
She claimed that efforts were made tirelessly to strengthen the Delhi Women’s Commission, but political reasons led to its weakening. Funds were halted, staff were removed, and today, the commission has neither a chairperson nor members. Maliwal recounted a tragic incident where a woman in Madhya Pradesh was subjected to acid attacks by her in-laws.
These incidents underscore the critical need for a robust institutional framework for women’s safety and justice. The MP urged the government to provide women’s commissions with adequate authority, resources, and autonomy so they can operate effectively and deliver timely justice to women across the country. She warned that without strengthening these institutions, ensuring women’s safety will become increasingly difficult.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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