South Asia Citizens Web

Election 2014 should be fought on the issue of violence against women

Statements by workers organisations following events of 18 July 2012 on at the Maruti Suzuki plant at Manesar.

The government is not only constitutionally and legally obliged to provide this protection to women from sexual violence, but is obliged under international law to constitute a legal regime that protects, respects and promotes women’s rights. The widespread and systematic sexual violence against women, points to the gross failure of the government to exercise due diligence and makes the government culpable and responsible for these crimes against women. We expect the government to immediately initiate a process of dialogue with women’s rights groups, activists, lawyers and scholars on the Criminal law Amendment Bill, 2010, by organizing consultations.

Despite many attempts by women’s groups to flag the issues of sexual violence, there still is a legal silence around the question of sexual violence and impunity.

The government of Bihar must make a foolproof case so that the victims of Bathani tola get justice. It has done nothing so far as it is using the caste card to promote its own vote bank among these castes.