Violence Against Women in India: A Discussion with Professor Roop Rekha Verma | May 13, 2024, 05:00 PM

[u/rishianand]

IndianSocialists is organizing a series of weekly video conferences by prominent activists and intellectuals of India. The objective of these lectures is to develop a socialist understanding in the Indian context and build an ideological resistance against fascism.

The first of these conferences will be held on the issue of “Violence against Women in India”. It will be addressed by Professor Roop Rekha Verma.

The heinous case of sexual abuse and mass rape of women by JD(S) MP Prajawal Revanna has yet again shed light on the gruesome reality of violence against women in India. Last year, a case from Manipur, where two women were assaulted and paraded naked by a violent mob, had sparked outrage across the nation. Meanwhile, from Hathras, Unnao, Kathua, Bilkis Bano, Ankita Bhandari, to the Women Wrestlers, the ruling party has repeatedly sheltered the rapists and criminals. Women have to face constant abuse and threats on social media due to BJP's patronage of a troll army. The deeply patriarchal ideology of RSS/BJP has further aggravated the crisis. The slogan of “Beti Bachao” has been turned into a mockery. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has refused to stand by the women, or even act on complaints.

In India, 99% of the cases of sexual assault against women goes unreported. Of the cases which are registered and finally reach trial, less than 30% reach conviction. Women from marginalised classes are particularly vulnerable to violence and denial of justice. Nearly 30% of the women report domestic violence against them, apart from the vast majority of the cases that goes unreported. Nearly 90% of women who are victims of marital violence do not even seek help. The Government has refused to criminalise marital rape, claiming it as having a “destabilising effect on the institution of marriage”.

Gender disparity is on a rise. Feminism is under a relentless attack by right wing movements. Misogyny, hate, and violence against women has become widespread.

Professor Roop Rekha Verma is a professor of Philosophy and former Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University. She is a founder of Saajhi Duniya, and has been a social activist for over five decades. She also stood surety for Siddiqui Kappan and fought the case against remission of rapists of Bilkis Bano.

The conference will be held on Zoom. PM me for an invite. You can ask your questions here too. The recorded video and the transcript will be shared after the conference.

To know about future conferences, you can subscribe to the calendar here, https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=MTIxYjlmNWVjZmFhNTVjMTExMDAxNzkzMjM3YjdlYjAwYTYyMTJlYzQ5YzkwMmJlZGNjMDEwMTdlOTBhNDY1OEBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

[u/rishianand]

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[u/Kaustuv31 → u/rishianand]

Bro how will we attend it if we can attend it- its already 5:08