SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seen a steady rise in reported cases of atrocities against women and children in recent years, as per the latest data released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in response to a Lok Sabha query on December 13, 2024.
The erstwhile state reported 3,405 cases of crimes against women in 2020, which increased to 3,937 in 2021, before slightly declining to 3,716 in 2022. Similarly, the number of crimes against children also saw an upward trend, rising from 606 cases in 2020 to 845 in 2021, and reaching 920 in 2022.
The Government of India has taken several steps to address these issues, including the introduction of legislation such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and programs like the Women Helpline-181 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112). Despite these efforts, Jammu and Kashmir continues to face significant challenges in curbing crimes against women and children.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) and other bodies, such as the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), are actively involved in monitoring the situation, offering assistance, and ensuring that cases are handled swiftly. However, it remains a significant concern that some states and union territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, continue to struggle with the implementation of measures that can fully safeguard these vulnerable groups.
The data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) highlights that Jammu and Kashmir is not alone in facing this issue, with similar trends observed across the country. Nevertheless, the rise in reported cases in the region points to the urgent need for continued efforts in addressing these atrocities and ensuring that women and children are provided with the protection and support they need.
Meanwhile, The Government of India has been actively working to promote women’s empowerment and ensure their safety, with a focus on improving their participation in the workforce. Over recent years, several key laws, policies, and initiatives have been introduced or strengthened to create a safer environment for women in the workplace and to address various issues affecting their well-being.
One of the most significant legislative changes came with the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which came into effect on 1st July 2024. These laws aim to modernize the criminal justice system. In particular, BNS consolidates and updates the offences related to women and children, which were previously scattered across the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860. New provisions introduced in BNS strengthen laws on crimes like sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and child abuse. For example, Sections 69 and 95 cover sexual intercourse on false promises of marriage, employment, or promotion, while Sections 70 and 111 address gang rape and organized crime, respectively. The BNS also mandates increased punishments for severe crimes like buying a child for prostitution and trafficking. The law provides additional legal protections against harassment, including unwelcome sexual advances and actions that insult the modesty of a woman, ensuring victims can file complaints.
In addition to BNS, the BNSS includes provisions for witness protection, crucial for shielding those who may face threats or intimidation. The BSA enables the use of digital evidence such as emails, documents, and voice messages, facilitating better support for women facing harassment in the workplace.
The Government has also introduced comprehensive Labour Codes that aim to improve working conditions, ensuring the safety and dignity of women workers. The Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code of 2020 consolidates laws related to workplace safety, with specific provisions for women. Meanwhile, the Code on Wages (2019) promotes gender-neutral job advertisements and removes gender bias in recruitment and promotion. Additionally, the Code on Social Security (2020) provides social security benefits, including maternity benefits and creche facilities, further supporting women’s workforce participation.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has also launched the SHe-Box portal, which serves as a centralized platform for handling complaints related to sexual harassment at the workplace. The portal provides an easy way for women to file complaints, track their progress, and ensures that internal and local committees within both public and private sectors are notified of such complaints. A nodal officer is designated at each workplace to ensure real-time monitoring and updating of information.
Under the Nirbhaya Fund, various initiatives have been implemented to improve women’s safety at work and in public spaces. One of the key initiatives is the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSCs) under the ‘Sambal’ sub-scheme of ‘Mission Shakti’, providing integrated services such as legal aid, medical help, police facilitation, and temporary shelter for women affected by violence. Another vital service is the 24/7 Women Helpline (181), which has assisted over 8.1 million women across the country. Additionally, the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) has been set up in all States and Union Territories, offering emergency support to women in distress.
The Government has also focused on improving the safety of public spaces where women work or reside, through initiatives like Safe City Projects. These projects, implemented in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, integrate technological solutions like video surveillance and artificial intelligence-based facial recognition to enhance safety. In the transportation sector, safety measures such as the Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) and the Vehicle Tracking Platform ensure secure travel for women.
To ensure proper training for law enforcement, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for Women Help Desks at police stations, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive interaction with victims of crime. BPR&D also offers training to police officers, investigation officers, and medical officers to improve the detection and prevention of crimes against women and children.
Recognizing the need for psycho-social support, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has collaborated with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) to train One Stop Centre staff on handling the mental health needs of women who have experienced violence. Moreover, the Ministry administers the “Samarthya” sub-scheme under Mission Shakti, which helps provide relief and rehabilitation for women in difficult circumstances.
The Sakhi Niwas component of Mission Shakti, which provides working women’s hostels with day care facilities for children, aims to ensure safe accommodation for women in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas, supporting them in balancing their professional and personal lives. The government has also allocated Rs. 5,000 crore this year for the construction of more such hostels.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) plays an important role in spreading awareness about women’s safety, conducting seminars, workshops, and media campaigns. NCW works closely with police authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that complaints related to women’s safety are promptly addressed and that justice is served.
Through these multiple initiatives and legislative changes, the Government of India is taking substantial steps to create a safer, more supportive environment for women, empowering them to participate more actively in the workforce and in society at large.
