“India is Safe for Women”: Reality or Hyperbole?

A PRESENTATION DEPICTING THE PROBLEM IN PERCEPTION OF THE SOCIETY AND EXPECTING A REFORM FOR THE WOMEN IN

INDIA

West Bengal State UniversityDepartment of Journalism & Mass Communication

Submitted By: Reg. No. 002017-2013 Semester: IV Session: 2013-2015

In 2013 alone, 33707 women got raped. 8083 women murdered because of unmet high dowry expectations.

98% of the sex offenders were known to the victim.

43.6% of all crimes against women being "cruelty" inflicted by her husband and his relatives.

Qualities Expected From SexesMEN

1. Active2. Aggressive3. Daring4. Stud 5. Strong6. Tough7. Commanding8. SAVIOR

WOMEN

1. Passive2. Submissive3. Delicate4. Domesticated 5. Pretty6. Cute7. Caring8. VICTIM

Behaviour Expected From SexesMEN

1. Take control of the situation2. Lead women in any crisis3. Work to feed the family4. Can do anything

WOMEN

1. Keep her opinion to herself2. Follow what others say3. Prepare food, do household

work4. Act only according to pre

defined boundaries

Valuation of SexesMEN

1. If he does any household work he is obliging women

2. If he work from home to help his wife he is a good husband

WOMEN

1. Her household work is not of much value

2. If she work outside and independent she is ignoring her family

Media Create Gender DefinitionsSEXIST NEWS MEDIA

SEXIST NEWS MEDIA

Deepika Padukone vs. The Times Group2014

SEXIST ADVERTISING MEDIA

SEXIST ADVERTISING MEDIA

Media Promotes Stereotypes

Asymmetrical Representation in Indian Cinema

Contrast Between Thinking & Reality

What families should do?

1. Equal importance in the family2. Stop feticide 3. Girls are not burden4. Respect the great Indian culture5. Stop superstitions6. Quit Stereotypes 7. Say no to dowry demand8. Divorce is not a sin9. Let women participate in decision making10.Stop promoting masculineness over feminineness11.Protest Sexual objectification12. Let girls follow their dreams

And….

EDUCATE

YES THEY CAN!

Literacy Rate in India over the years

What women should do?

1. Struggle for rights2. Learn to say “No”3. Don’t fall victim of any superstition4. Don’t care about the “social stigma”5. Be confident6. Participate in decision making7. Get education8. Reject the social idea of a “good women” and “bad women”9. Reject the idea of “weaker sex”

What media should do?

1. Create awareness2. Treat women as human3. Stop promoting stereotypes4. Focus on the needy, the marginalized, the voiceless5. Promote success stories of women6. Promote women as the part of civilization7. Encourage female participation8. Stop sensationalizing 9. Media for women with grass root reach10.Promote human rights11.Discourage superstitions12.Work as changing agent

What the Government is doing?LAWS

1. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 19562. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961) (Amended in 1986)3. The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 19864. The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 (3 of 1988)5. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 20056. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION and REDRESSAL) Act, 20137. Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013

What the Government is doing?ACTIONS

1. Fast track courts2. Dedicated helpline3. Deployment of CCTV4. GPS in public transport5. Women Police6. Women Driver7. Street Lights8. Self Defence Course9. Government funds and skims10.Special reservation for women