THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union and State Governments have introduced many schemes after the horrific Nirbhaya incident in New Delhi. But safety remains a grave concern for women travelling alone.
The ordeal of a prominent actor, who was molested in a moving car in Kochi, may be termed as an isolated incident. But it sheds light on the apathy in implementing various women safety schemes in the state. From Nirbhaya scheme to Pink Police Patrol we have schemes aplenty but there is no system on ground to help a woman in distress.
According to sources the government was least interested in implementing the “Nirbhaya Keralam, Surakshitha Keralam” project which was launched in 2014 in Kochi. The project, launched with much fanfare by the previous UDF government failed to takeoff due to la ck of funds.
The government had recruited 120 women volunteers from 74 divisions in Kochi corporation to ensure women safety. The volunteers were selected after an interview by a panel comprising a lawyer, a police officer, a doctor, a psychologist and a social worker. The volunteers aged between 28 and 69 were told to rescue women in distress even during night hours. However, the project hit a dead end due to lack of financial support from the government.
Another innovative move was the launch of isafe’, a mobile application by Thiruvananthapuram city police in 2015. The app based on Global Positioning System (GPS), enabled women in distress to alert the police control room by touching on it. However, the police failed to publicise the scheme and it also failed to achieve its desired result.
The Pink Patrol launched by the LDF Government to tackle crimes against women also has its drawbacks. The response from the helpline number 1515, has not been encouraging to save woman in distress. The officers say the project has not become fully operational as “it was just begun”.
The statistics available with Kerala Police reveals the crime against women is on the rise.
The state police had registered 1,644 rape cases in 2016 while it was only 1,263 in 2015. A total of 2,305 molestation cases were reported last year while it was 3,991 cases in 2015.
According to social activist Sunitha Krishnan, the silence of the society is shocking when women are being molested, assaulted and violated on the streets. “It is the attitude of the people that encourages crime against women. We are living in a state where the uncles and fathers abuse their wards. Women are not safe here anymore. However, as a part of this government, I will start a ‘choice schedule’ soon to launch women friendly schemes,” she said.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera said the Nirbhaya project will be implemented soon.