Recent Trends: State-Wise Distribution

• Highest reporting states:
  • Uttar Pradesh – 66,381 cases (highest in India).
  • Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh (next in order). 
• Union Territories:
  • Delhi – 2,278 cases (down from 2,340 in 2022), but highest crime rate among UTs.
• Sharp increase: Bihar (1,052 → 1,818 cases), Tamil Nadu (2,607 → 2,999).
• Decline: Madhya Pradesh (3,619 vs 3,795 in 2022), Maharashtra (3,970 vs 4,406).

Recent Trend: Forms of Crime

• Cruelty by husband or relatives: 1,33,676 cases (29.8%).
• Kidnapping & abduction of women: 88,605 cases (19.8%).
• Assault on women with intent to outrage modesty: 83,891 cases (18.7%).
• POCSO Act (sexual offences against minor girls): 66,232 cases (14.8%).
• Other crimes: Rape, trafficking, dowry deaths, cybercrimes, workplace harassment, acid attacks.

Forms of Crimes Against Women

• Violence in the Domestic Sphere
  • Cruelty by husband/relatives ( major contributor).
  • Dowry-related deaths.
  • Domestic violence 
• Sexual Crimes
  • Rape (Among the highest reported crimes).
  • Sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism – strengthened under Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013 (post Nirbhaya case).
  • POCSO Act, 2012 covers crimes against minor girls.
• Crimes Related to Marriage
  • Child marriage.
  • Forced marriages, fraudulent NRI marriages.
• Trafficking & Exploitation
  • Human trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced labour (Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956).
  • Cybercrimes targeting women: morphing, revenge porn, blackmail.
• Public Sphere Crimes
  • Eve-teasing, molestation, acid attacks.
  • Honour killings (linked to caste/community norms).

Causes & Underlying Factors

• Patriarchal mindset normalization of violence.
• Dowry & marriage-related practices.
• Lack of awareness & education among women.
• Weak enforcement leads to low conviction rates (~27%).
• Economic dependence on men leads underreporting of crimes.
• Digital revolution cause rise in cybercrimes against women.

Constitutional & Legal Safeguards

• Constitutional Provisions
  • Article 14: Equality before law.
  • Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  • Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty.
  • Article 39: Directive Principles for equal pay and protection of health.
  • Article 42: Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
  • Article 51A(e): Fundamental duty to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
• Legal Measures
  • New Legal Codes: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA
  • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (2012).
  • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005).
  • Dowry Prohibition Act (1961).
  • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (2013).

Schemes

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter).
• One Stop Centres (Sakhi): Support for women facing violence.
• Nirbhaya Fund: Safety and security projects for women.
• Ujjawala Scheme: Rehabilitation of trafficked women.

Challenges

• Underreporting of cases due to stigma.
• Judicial delays and slow justice delivery.
• Limited reach of support services in rural areas.
• Need for awareness of new criminal codes (BNS/BNSS/BSA).
• Resistance to gender equality in certain communities.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Enforcement: Training of police and judiciary in new criminal laws.
• Fast-Track Courts: Speedy disposal of cases.
• Awareness and Legal Literacy: Educating women about their rights.
• Technology-driven Safety: Mobile SOS apps, artificial intelligence-based cyber monitoring.
• Economic Empowerment: Skill training, self-help groups, financial independence.
• Community Role: Panchayats, non-governmental organisations, and civil society.
• Global Standards: Alignment with Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).