Women feel ‘unsafe’ in Jhajjar

Ravinder Saini 

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Women and girls in Jhajjar district, which is infamous for its skewed gender ratio, feel vulnerable at public places such as parks, educational institutions, outside paan shops and even while travelling on public transport. At the same time, they feel safe in crowded places such as markets.

These are the findings of a rapid study conducted recently by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on ‘Women’s safety at public spaces in Jhajjar’ in order to collect details regarding their experiences and perception about sexual harassment in public spaces.  

The study done in Jhajjar and Bahadurgarh urban areas between December 2017 and January 2018 is based on interactions with men, women, girls, teachers, anganwari workers, employees of local bodies, activists of social and women organisations, besides officials of civil and police administration in the district.

“Women and girls say that the perception of threat increases in places where men or boys gather in groups to spend time or play cards, consume alcohol or drugs. Women resisted the opening of a liquor shop in their neighbourhood when asked about it. Their concern was that if the liquor shop is opened people would consume alcohol at public places and also create nuisance. Even their (women) mobility gets constrained and they even hesitate from passing by those places,” the study reveals.  

A woman respondent says, “Yes, we have stopped going on morning and evening walks after a liquor shop was opened in our area. Earlier, we used to go out for a while, but not now”. 

Another respondent says, “Wherever people take drugs publicly, it becomes unsafe for women. I hesitate from going to the park near my home, as men play cards there”.

Women in Jhajjar city have to face lewd and gender sensitive comments. Even, they complain of men ‘inappropriately touching’ their body in public place and streets.

The study also reveals patriarchal mindsets and attitudes, besides poor lighting at public places, narrow and crowded lanes, non-functional CCTV cameras and poor public transport as the main reasons of sexual harassment. 

Palak Rawal, Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate (CMGGA) in Rohtak and Jhajjar, says the Haryana government and UNICEF with the support of the CMGGA programme are working together on select time-bound initiatives for empowerment of women and girls and and increased participation in Rohtak and Jhajjar districts. The aim is to build viable models that can be implemented across the state.

“The findings of the study have been sent to the higher authorities for their consideration and implementation. There are 480 lighting points in Jhajjar district and over 100 of these have been repaired while the repair work on others is going on. The Police Department is working hard to ensure safety of women in the district and is taking vital steps in view of the findings of the study,” says Palak. 

Crime against women rises in Rohtak police range

The Rohtak police range comprising Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat, Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts has witnessed a considerable increase in cases of crime against women, especially sexual harassment and rape, up to April 18 this year.

Sources say 273 cases have been registered under Section 354 (assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) of the IPC in all the districts up to April 18 this year, while 99 such cases were registered during the corresponding period last year.

Rohtak tops with regard to sexual harassment cases. In all, 27 cases were registered in Rohtak up to April 18, 2017, while 98 cases had already been registered this year. 

Likewise, 33 such cases in Jhajjar, 52 in Sonepat, 47 in Bhiwani and 43 in Charkhi Dadri had been registered this year while up to April 18, 2017, there were 14 cases in Jhajjar, 26 in Sonepat, 21 in Bhiwani and 11 cases in Charkhi Dadri. “Similarly, 39 more cases of rape (under Section 376 of the IPC) have been registered this year compared to the corresponding period last year. There were 59 such cases registered up to April 18, 2017, while the number has risen to 98 this year,” say the sources. All five districts of the range have witnessed a rise in cases of crime against women. 

Rohtak also tops with 29 rape cases, followed by Sonepat 25 and Jhajjar nine, Bhiwani 27 and nine cases in Charkhi Dadri up to April 18 this year. Rohtak had witnessed 15 rape cases, Jhajjar five, Sonepat 19, Bhiwani 14 and Charkhi Dadri six during the same period last year. 

The police range has recorded a decrease in dowry death and murder cases this year. A total 10 cases under Section 304 B (dowry death) have been registered up to April 18 this year while 13 cases were registered during the corresponding period last year. 

As many as 71 murder cases were registered up to April 18 last year while 63 cases had already been registered during this period this year. 

Jagriti project for women’s safety being run: DC

Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner Sonal Goel says a safety blue print on the basis of the findings of the study is being prepared to ensure safety of women in the district. Several sensitive points pertaining to women safety have been identified in the study. Hence, departments concerned have directed to work upon these issues effectively and proper monitoring is being done. 

“We are running a pilot project, Jagriti, based on the findings of the study. The project aimed at ensuring women’s safety will also be launched in other districts if it gets desirable success in Jhajjar,” says Soanl. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had inaugurated the project during a visit to Jhajjar last month. 

Squad formed to check eve-teasing: DSP

The Jhajjar district police have recently formed an anti-eve teasing squad to curb rising incidents of eve-teasing and to ensure safety of women, girl students of school and colleges in the district. DSP Bharti Dabas would lead the squad as Nodal Officer.

“Two women PCR vans, six women riders and a Quick Reaction Team and personnel deputed at women police station are part of the squad. Policewomen have been deputed outside various schools, colleges, bus stand, railway station and other public places,” says SP Pankaj Nain.