by Nirmala Carvalho

For a doctor and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the real battle is against “those norms that promote gender-based violence". In the last 40 years cases of rape have increased by 900 % . Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai : "In the family both parents must inculcate the values of dignity, respect, honesty and morality in male and female children".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - " This horrific and tragic incident, throws light on violence against women in an 'everyday' context.. The real challenge is to fight against the social norms that promote gender-based violence in India", Dr. Pascoal Carvalho, a doctor in Mumbai and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life comments to AsiaNews on the rape and murder of two Dalits girls which took place on 28 May in Uttar Pradesh.

The brutality of the attack sparked a wave of outrage and protests in the village and abroad, in a manner similar to the December 2012 gang rape in New Delhi. "After that case - Carvalho recalls - India became more aware of issues such as gender justice and the rights and safety of women."

However, data confirms that there is still much to do, especially in terms of social awareness . "According to the National Crime Records Bureau - said the doctor - registered rape cases in India have increased by almost 900 percent over the past 40 years. Numbers of trafficked women are also high, and a 2010 report published by the Asia Foundation states that, unusually, 90 percent of India's trafficking in persons occurs within national borders. Violence against women is perpetrated not only, or even mostly, by strangers but also from agents of the state, spouses and family members".

In addition , "a recent survey carried out by India's National Commission for Women, which is that 88.9 percent of honor killings are perpetrated by family members, additionally, the 2011 International Men and Gender Equality Survey, which found that nearly one in four Indian men has committed sexual violence at one point in their lives. "

The Archdiocese of Mumbai , Auxiliary Bishop Savio Fernandes tells AsiaNews "we have been organizing various programs at various levels aimed at making people aware of the crimes committed against women and the girl-child and to equip them to be agents of change".

In this sense , the key is beginning in the family. "The family as the basic unit of society - says the bishop - Whatever happens in the family on a micro scale is reflected in society on a macro scale.  Therefore, gender sensitization and inculcating values of respect, dignity, honesty and morality, should begin in the family.  Both parents, should inculcate values of equality, dignity and respect for each other in their children - male and female.  If they do this, then this equality and respect for one another will be reflected in society.  However, if they treat the male child as superior and the female child as inferior, this disparity and inequality will be reflected in society too".

 

 

• INDIA
• DALIT
• TEENAGE
• GIRLS
• RAPE
• MURDER
• GENDER
• EQUALITYCATHOLIC
• CHURCH