Introduction

India''s democratic process is the largest in the world, with 642 million voters participating, more than half of whom were women. However, a significant dichotomy exists as gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue, largely unaddressed by political agendas.

Electoral Agenda and Women''s Safety

Despite the high female voter turnout, women''s safety was not a prominent issue for the majority of the 2,823 candidates in the elections. Those few who included it in their agenda did so sporadically and failed to address the systemic nature of institutional violence that survivors face daily.

Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence

• Nearly 50% of Indian women experience domestic violence.
• Two out of three Dalit women face sexual violence in their lifetimes.
• Reports indicate that 90 rapes occur daily in India.
• Despite these figures, the issue does not feature prominently in political or public discourse.

Institutional Violence: A Critical Issue

Institutional violence, which includes the systemic failures and obstacles survivors face, often exacerbates the trauma of the original act of violence.

This includes:

• Pre-reporting Phase: Many women are discouraged from reporting due to societal and institutional biases.
• Police and Judicial System: A 2019 J-PAL report revealed that 39% of officers in India consider complaints of gender-based violence baseless. The justice system is described as brutal and traumatic, with cases often being dismissed or mishandled, especially for marginalized communities.

Challenges in Rural India

In rural areas, the situation is exacerbated by male and upper-caste dominated panchayats. Divorce is rarely an option, and a significant backlog of 40 million court cases further hinders access to justice. For marginalized communities, these challenges are compounded by caste, literacy, and geographic factors.

Role of Social Impact Organizations

Organizations like Vanangna in Bundelkhand and Samarthya have been working to provide trauma-informed training to government officials and law enforcement. They advocate for a national adoption of these practices to create survivor-centric institutions.

The Need for Stronger Implementation

While India has robust domestic violence laws, implementation remains weak due to the prevalence of societal norms that condone violence. Effective change requires reimagining the justice system, leveraging the experiences of survivors, and integrating trauma-informed approaches.

The Importance of Data and Public Discourse

A lack of comprehensive data on the denial of justice to women hinders understanding and action. The recent updates to criminal law procedures, focusing on timeliness and digital access, must be accompanied by gender-sensitive training to ensure that officials handle cases appropriately.

Conclusion: The Role of Voters and Politicians

The article emphasizes the need for both voters and politicians to prioritize and demand justice for survivors of gender-based violence. Just as there has been a national shift in promoting girls'' education, a similar effort is required to ensure that women can access justice without fear. The call to action is clear: voters must demand the right to safety and dignity for all women in India.