REFLECTION OF MEDIA IN VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LUCKNOW DISTRICT

 

Zeeshan Haider Rizvi ¹, Dr. Ritu Singh Meena ²

 

¹ Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, School of Science and Humanities, Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow, India

² Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, School of Science and Humanities, Maharishi University of Information Technology, Noida, India

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Despite its historical and cultural importance, the city of Lucknow has recently come under scrutiny for a far darker reason: the rising number of reported crimes against women. As the rate of sexual harassment, assault, and other crimes against women rises steadily, there is growing worry for their protection. There is an urgency to stop violence against women. Various campaigns have been organised to stop violence against women in various parts of the country including Lucknow.

Figure 1

Figure 1 Stop Violence Against Women

 

This urgent problem not only endangers women's physical and emotional well-being but also draws attention to flaws in the social system that enable such violence to persist. Lucknow is hardly alone in having a problem with crimes against women, but the city's image as a paragon of sophistication and cultural harmony contrasts all the more striking Naidis & Llewellyn-Jones (1988). The contradiction of widespread gender-based violence in this city of Nawabs, where courtesy has been cherished for generations, begs important concerns about the cultural foundations. It indicates structural weaknesses that enable such crimes to perpetuate Chelkowski (1987).

 

Menace of Crime against Women in Lucknow: Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this article is to examine the number and kind of crimes committed against women in Lucknow, with an emphasis on the latter. We attempt to disentangle the knotty web of causes behind this problem by poring over available data, sharing heartbreaking case examples, and digging into the sociocultural dynamics at play  Tripathi et al. (2017). Several factors contribute to an unsafe environment for women, including patriarchal norms, insufficient law enforcement, socioeconomic gaps, and urbanization issues.  The figure below indicates the surging rate of violence in the city.

Figure 2

Figure 2 Lucknow City Crime Update

 

As we get into the importance of the topic, it becomes clear that protecting women's rights and dignity requires more than simply a change in the law. It necessitates a shift in attitudes and social mores. This article hopes to add to the current conversation on women's safety in Lucknow and beyond by raising awareness of the seriousness of the issue and calling for a fundamental shift in how women are seen and treated.

 

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1. Aims

·        Raise Awareness: The main goal of this article is to raise awareness among the general public, politicians, and law enforcement organizations about the most serious crimes perpetrated against women in Lucknow.

·        Educate and inform: This article aims to shed light on the urgent need for preventative actions by providing accurate and thorough information about different types of crimes against women, their causes, and their possible effects on society.

·        Empowerment through knowledge:  The article's goal is to make communities safer for women by providing them with the tools they need to feel secure, such as an analysis and presentation of statistics on crimes against women.

 

2.2. Objectives

·        To Analyze Crime Data: Examine the data on crimes committed in Lucknow, particularly those involving violence against women, such as assault and sexual harassment. The scope and trends of these crimes may be better understood after reading this article.

·        To Identify Root Causes: Determine the extent to which crimes against women may be attributed to social, cultural, and economic variables in Lucknow. The development of efficient preventative measures depends on a firm grasp of these underlying factors.

·        To Inspire Change: The article's ultimate goal is to mobilize public support for ending violence against women in Lucknow. It aspires to aid in the creation of a safer and more equal society for all people using education and advocacy.

·        Impact of legislation education and awareness: The article’s main focus is on studying the implications and role of legislation, education and awareness in society ultimately making it free from sexual exploitation.

 

3. LITERATURE REVIEW

Women have had the most significant impact on the country's progress. Women's growth is essential for global prosperity. They play an important role in a nation's social and economic conditions. The status of women in Indian society should be respected and considered essential. They comprise about 45% of the workforce worldwide and work as technocrats, instructors, pilots, civil servants, and entrepreneurs The Global Role. (2019). However, a sizable portion of women experience coercion, abuse, threats, rape, and other forms of violence in society. According to the United Nations. (1993), violence against women is "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty." Gender violence can take many different forms, including physical torture, psychological trauma, workplace aggression, societal boycotts, and domestic abuse.

Many women are victims of intra-family violence, which has its origins among relatives, regardless of whether the aggressor lives in the same house as them. Physical, psychological, and financial abuse are all considered forms of abuse, and they can occasionally result in the victimised woman's death. Physical abuse between spouses, habitual psychological offences, and adult aggression toward children or elderly residents of the home are all possible causes. Women's growth, desires, goals, suggestions, and identity as independent individuals in society are suppressed because they are seen as inferior and submissive members of the family who must respect men, endure exploitation, and endure violence in silence like stupid people.

The prevalence of male dominance and female subjugation in India has led to an assortment of gender-based violence. Women are abused for a variety of reasons, including human trafficking, drugs, alcohol, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and gender discrimination. Women experience violence and abuse in one form or another from the moment of their birth until their death Sawant (2016).

 

Facts and figures related to crimes against women

The chart below shows how the rate of crimes against women in Lucknow has changed since 2010. The crime rate represents the number of crime incidences per 100,000 women in the city

Figure 3

Figure 3 Rate of Crime Against Women in Lucknow

 

The following table shows the major crimes in Lucknow that fall under our four categories. This is, of course, not an exhaustive list, but it describes a fair proportion of the serious crimes in Lucknow.

 

 

 

 

Figure 4

Figure 4 Crime Against Women

 

Government-organised schemes as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been formidable advocates for women's rights during this effort, fighting nonstop to protect and enhance such rights. These committed NGOs act as rays of hope, shedding light on the problems and difficulties that women deal with, from discrimination and gender-based violence to a lack of access to economic and educational possibilities.

The rate of conviction in instances of crimes against women along children has seen a significant increase during the first year of the Yogi 2.0 administration. According to statistics provided by the home department, a total of 671 convictions were recorded in instances of rape, 537 in cases of dowry killings, and 2313 in cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in the year 2022.

Figure 5

Figure 5 UP Crime Dip Source Times of India. (May 28, 2021).

 

The conviction rate showed a notable increase of 5 to 10% when compared to similar data from prior years. According to the statistics, it is seen that with these particular instances, a total of five individuals were sentenced to death, whilst 736 individuals received life imprisonment. Likewise, in the year 1860, several individuals were sentenced to imprisonment for a duration exceeding ten years.

 

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research put forth the crimes committed against women in India over the last five years. The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data on crime against women and publications, papers, and research articles are examined. Basic statistical analysis tools have been used to analyze the data. Using a descriptive technique, this research study uses quantitative data to illustrate the problems and obstacles related to crime against women in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The study paper also makes some significant recommendations for how society, the media, the police, the administration, and parents should work together to lessen crime against women. The researcher used a survey method with convenient sampling. Both online and offline methods were used to collect the data from the women living in Lucknow. As the cause is related to women, only women were selected to answer the questions. The researchers used convenient sampling because they don’t have details of all the respondents and only non-probability methods were chosen to use.

Hypothesis of the study

H₀₁: There is no significant influence of adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over the crime against women.

H_a1: There is a significant influence of adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over the crime against women.

H₀₂: There is no significant relation between the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crime against women.

H_a2: There is a significant relation between the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crime against women.

H₀₃: There is no significant influence of educational qualification on awareness of women’s protection laws.

H_a3: There is a significant influence of educational qualification on awareness of women’s protection laws.

 

5. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

1)    Awareness of the terms Sexual Assault and violence against women

It was found that out of 60 respondents, 70.0% of respondents were aware of the terms sexual assault and violence against women, and 30% of respondents were completely unaware of said terms.

Table 1

Table 1 Sexual Assault and Violence Against Women
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	42	70.0
No	18	30.0
Total	60	100.0

 

2)    Indian laws have successfully eliminated the crimes such as domestic violence, child marriage, child sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, dowry, dowry deaths, acid attacks, human trafficking etc. against women.

It was concluded that 58.3% of respondents agreed that Indian laws have successfully eliminated the crimes such as domestic violence, child marriage, child sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, dowry, dowry deaths, acid attacks, human trafficking etc. against women, and 41.7% of respondents disagreed with it.

 

 

Table 2

Table 2 Indian Laws
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	35	58.3
No	25	41.7
Total	60	100.0

 

Figure 6

Figure 6 Whether Indian Laws Have Successfully Eliminated Gender Crimes

                

3)    The state of UP records one of the state’s recordings more than 60% ratio for crime against women

It was concluded that out of 60 respondents, 75.0% of respondents agreed with the fact that the state of UP records one of the state’s recordings more than 60% ratio for crime against women, and 25.0% of respondents disagreed with the same.

Table 3

Table 3 State of UP Records
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	45	75.0
No	15	25.0
Total	60	100.0

 

Figure 7

Figure 7 State of UP Records

 

4)    Witnessed an incident of crime against women in Lucknow city.

It was concluded that out of 60 respondents, 65.0% respondents witnessed a crime rate against women in their city.

Table 4

Table 4 Incident of Crime Against Women
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	39	65.0
No	21	35.0
Total	60	100.0

 

Figure 8

Figure 8 Incident of Crime Against Women

 

5)    Witnessed an incident of crime against women in the State of UP

It was concluded that out of 60 respondents, 53.3% of respondents witnessed an incident of crime against women in the State of UP.

Table 5

Table 5 Incidents of Crime Against Women
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	32	53.3
No	28	46.7
Total	60	100.0

 

Figure 9

Figure 9 Incidents of Crime Against Women

 

6)    Came across any horrific news of crime against women in Lucknow.

It was concluded that out of 60 respondents, 83.3% of respondents came across horrific news of crime against women in Lucknow.

Table 6

Table 6 Horrific News of Crime
	Frequency	Percent
Yes	50	83.3
No	10	16.7
Total	60	100.0

 

Figure 10

Figure 10 Horrific News of Crime

 

6. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

6.1. Statistical Analysis

As we delve into statistical data surrounding major crimes against women in the city. We are confronted with a disconcerting reality that underscores the urgency of addressing deeply entrenched gender-based challenges. While these numbers barely scratch the surface of the realities women face every day, they do capture the core of a broader tale. From private residences to busy markets to dark alleys, the data shows a disturbing trend of severe crimes against women that cannot be ignored.

 

6.2. Conclusion Based on a Survey

It was concluded that out of 60 respondents, 58.3% of respondents agreed that the backward mindset of society is one of the biggest reasons why women still have merciful conditions in such cities/states. 40.0% of respondents felt that stringent provisions are required for safeguarding women in such cities.

 

6.3. Hypothesis Testing

H₀₁: There is no significant influence of adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over the crimes against women.

H_a1: There is a significant influence of adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over the crimes against women.

From the analysis, we concluded that the chi-square value between adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over crimes against women were 6.351, 7.492 and 6.11 with a p-value of 0.01, which were less than 0.05, so we accepted the alternate hypothesis i.e., There is a significant influence of adequate safeguards and numerous legislations over the crime against woman.

Table 7

Table 7 Hypothesis 01
Crosstab
Count
		stringent provisions are required for safeguarding women		Total
		Yes	No
witnessed an incident of crime against women in Lucknow city	Yes	11	28	39
	No	13	8	21
Total		24	36	60
Chi-square		6.351	p-value	0.011*
witnessed an incident of crime against women in the State	Yes	12	30	42
	No	12	6	18
Total		24	36	60
Chi-square		7.492	p-value	0.006**
any horrific news of crime against women in Lucknow	Yes	12	29	41
	No	12	7	19
Total		24	36	60
Chi-square		6.11	p-value	0.013**

 

H₀₂: There is no significant relation between the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crimes against women.

H_a2: There is a significant relation between the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crimes against women.

From the analysis, we concluded that the chi-square value between the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crimes against women were 1.02, 4.419 and 3.71 with a p-value of 0.03, which were less than 0.05, so we accepted the alternate hypothesis i.e., There is a significant relation among the inefficient implementation of the current laws over the increasing cases of crimes against women.

Table 8

Table 8 Hypothesis 02
Crosstab
Count
		Indian Law		Total
		Yes	No
witnessed an incident of crime against women in Lucknow city	Yes	29	10	39
	No	18	3	21
Total		47	13	60
Chi-square		1.02	p-value	0.31
witnessed an incident of crime against women in the State	Yes	36	6	42
	No	11	7	18
Total		47	13	60
Chi-square		4.419	p-value	0.036*
any horrific news of crime against women in Lucknow	Yes	35	6	41
	No	12	7	19
Total		47	13	60
Chi-square		3.71	p-value	0.027**

 

H₀₃: There is no significant influence of educational qualification on awareness of women’s protection laws.

H_a3: There is a significant influence of educational qualification on awareness of women’s protection laws.

From the analysis, we concluded that the chi-square value of the educational qualification on awareness of women’s protection laws was 3.93 with a p-value of 0.04, which was less than 0.05, so we accepted the alternate hypothesis i.e., There is a significant influence of educational qualification on awareness of woman protection laws.

Table 9

Table 9 Hypothesis 03
Crosstabulation
Count
		Sexual Assault and violence against women		Total
		Yes	No
Education Qualification	10th	12	8	20
	12th	11	5	16
	Graduate	11	3	14
	Any other	8	2	10
Total		42	18	60
Chi-square		3.93	p-value	0.045*

 

7. MEASURES ADOPTED TO CURB THE MENACE

Sahyog Lucknow Sahayog India. (n.d.)

The National Health Mission (NHM) was established to deliver accessible, cheap, efficient, and dependable healthcare services in both rural and urban regions of the nation, with a particular focus on the impoverished and marginalised segments of society. The National Health Mission in the State of Uttar Pradesh has implemented targeted initiatives to effectively engage with the local population at the grassroots level. The National Health Mission (NHM) places its emphasis on providing services that are affordable, accessible, accountable, effective, and of high quality to the general population, with particular attention to vulnerable populations within the community. Sahayog Lucknow is an organisation that focuses on promoting women's health and advancing gender equality through the use of human rights frameworks. The organisation in question is involved in various activities such as capacity-building, along with research and documentation, publishing, and advocacy in collaboration with its network partners Misra (2013). SAHAYOG has been officially recognised as a Society since the year 1992.

 

 

Uttar Pradesh Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth

The assigned objective is the construction of a bridge between law enforcement agencies and the broader civil society, to enhance public confidence in the police specifically concerning matters about women. The primary focus of Mahila Samman Prakoshth is to establish a police system in Uttar Pradesh that is conducive to the welfare and empowerment of women. The UP Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth was established on September 5th, 2014, as a specialised division within the police department with the primary objective of ensuring the safety, respect, and empowerment of women and girls residing in the state. The Uttar Pradesh Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth has actively intervened in sensitive issues, including but not limited to assisting in the search for missing girls, safeguarding women from domestic abuse, and combating internet harassment targeting women Uttar Pradesh Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth (n.d.).

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

REFERENCES

Chelkowski, P. (1987, February). A Fatal Friendship: The Nawabs, the British and the City of Lucknow. By Rosie Llewellyn-Jones. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1985. viii, 285. Bibliography, Index, Plates. N.p. The Journal of Asian Studies, 46(1), 188–189. https://doi.org/10.2307/2056718.

Misra, R. (2013). Cyber Crime Against Women. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2486125.

Naidis, M., & Llewellyn-Jones, R. (1988, December). A Fatal Friendship: The Nawabs, the British, and the City of Lucknow. The American Historical Review, 93(5), 1384. https://doi.org/10.2307/1873674.

Sahayog India. (n.d.). Sahayog India.  

Sawant, T. S. (2016). Place of the Woman in Indian Society: A Brief Review. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 21(9), 21–25.     

The Global Role. (2019, March 8). The Global Role of Women: Caretakers, Conscience, Farmers, Educators and Entrepreneurs. Global Volunteers.     

Tripathi, K., Borrion, H., & Belur, J. (2017, September). Sexual Harassment of Students on Public Transport: An Exploratory Study in Lucknow, India. Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 19(3–4), 240–250. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0029-0

United Nations. (1993). Declaration on Elimination of Violence Against Women.  

Uttar Pradesh Police Mahila Samman Prakoshth (n.d.). Official Website of Uttar Pradesh Police. About Us Mahila Samman Prakostha (1090).