As a single woman residing in India, every day is fraught with worries about my safety and that of young under-age girls and other women. Our country is witnessing an alarming rise in heinous crimes against women, including gang rapes, mutilations, murders, and cases of dowry harassment and deaths. Unfortunately, since May 2020, these incidents have skyrocketed, leaving many of us in fear and constant vigilance.

 

The lack of effective government initiatives aimed at ensuring women's safety and the glaring gaps in the judicial system, which often fails to prosecute perpetrators, and judiciary offering bails and paroles to convicted rapists only exacerbate the problem. We live in a society where women not only fear stepping out after dark but now even during day time, where the news headlines daily illustrate heartbreaking narratives of violence and injustice.

 

Statistics from NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) highlight this grim reality: crimes against women have increased noticeably over the past few years. Despite these rising numbers, governmental policies seem insufficient, focusing only on reactive rather than proactive measures.

 

To address this crisis, we urgently call for an immediate re-evaluation and reform of the existing framework concerning women's safety. This includes:

 

1. Strengthening the legal framework: Implement more stringent laws and ensure swift prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent.

 

2. Enhanced safety measures: Increase the visibility of law enforcement officials in public areas, especially at night. Equip buses, trains, and public spaces with CCTV cameras. Ensure that streets are well-lit and accessible.

 

3. Educational campaigns: Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate society about gender equality, consent, and respect.

 

4. Support systems: Establish more helplines and support centers where women can seek help and report crimes safely and anonymously, such as my initiative "Brahmasmi - Women Empowerment Program" .

 

5. Option for women to own a weapon as a "Right to Bear Arms" for self defence, with subsidy on the purchase of the weapon, it's license and it's ammunition (which can be regulated by the government). 

 

6. Dire need for change in patriarchal perspective on acceptance of female child in families and it's rights to a safe, educated, independent life.

 

Women have the right to feel safe in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and homes and while travelling alone and live independently even in a marriage without the fear of harassment and probable dowry death. It is time for us to stand together and demand change. We cannot afford to wait any longer as the safety of countless women hangs in the balance.

 

We the women of India have been traumatized for centuries in the name of sati practice, devdasihood, sexual harassment, dowry deaths and forceful prostitutions to name a few and We demand that unde the current patriarchal rage under which shocking number of cruel abuse women are going through that we be granted permission to bear arms for our safety before our precious lives are dwindled. Today's India is not the same as before and hence demands urgent intervention by the government to our safety. We do not wish to be "protected by men as not all women have mentioned in their lives, but we wish to protect ourselves to live a full life in safety which is our fundamental right. 

 

Sign this petition to urge the government to take immediate action towards ensuring a safer India for women. Let's advocate for a future where every woman can live her life free from fear and violence.