Caritas India holds consultation on Crimes against Women and Children
New Delhi (CBCI News): Caritas India, the social wing of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), held a consultation on crime against women and children here, February 01. The program was attended by 60 personnel from ten networking partners in the city and others. Speakers included General Secretary, AIDWA, Ms. Sudha Sundaraman, Director of Joint Women’s Program (JWP) Dr. Jyotsna Chatterjee and Advocate Souamya Bhaumik.
Apart from sensitizing the Caritas staff at its headquarters here, the consultation looked at causes and impacts of violence against women and girls, application of the law and role of civil society organisations (CSOs) for advocating and preventing violence against women in family, workplace and society at large. The participants of the consultation expressed their grave concern about India’s lack of gender sensitivity and the growing trend of violence against women and children even as fast track courts are being set up along with dedicated “women in distress” helplines.
Caritas welcomed the Verma Committee's stand against death penalty. Executive Director Fr. Frederick D’Souza said, “death penalty is only elimination of the offender and not the crime.” He however suggested stringent punishment which should not exclude scope for personal change and transformation. He also called on the collective responsibility of the society and the state to have adequate systems and policies in place to deter crime and protect life and dignity of every human person.
Reiterating the oraginisation's believe based on Catholic Social Teachings (CST), the Assistant Executive Director, Fr Paul Moonjely said “God is the author of life and no human being has the right to do away with the life of any human person.” He said for a civilized society it is essential to think of civilized means in treating criminals. Criminals are made and criminality is perpetrated in the society for various reasons. If people are dangerous they should be confined and refined through appropriate measures and legal enforcements.
Citing the example Dhananjay Chatterjee who was hanged for rape and murder in 2004, legal expert, Soumya Bhoumik said from data for the period from 2004 to 2012 show that death penalty is not a deterrent to sexual assault and murder.
Caritas India Team Leader for Gender Programmes, Ms Shimray, said violence against women and children, especially girls, is partly the result of gender relations that assumes boys and men to be superior to women and girls. Given the subordinate status of women and girls, much of gender violence is considered normal and even enjoys social sanction. Citing a host of cases of sexual abuse on women, AIDWA General Secretary, Ms. Sudha, said that boys and men engage in sexual assault under the garb of proving their masculinity.