DAW 19th December 2025, Mains Answer Writting 2026

DAW 19th December 2025, Mains Answer Writting 2026

Question

We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace. (250 Words, 15 Marks).

Model Answer

Approach:

Introduction:

  • Establish the rising trend of sexual violence despite strong laws; link it to patriarchy, weak enforcement, and recent cases to underline urgency.

Body:

  • Diagnose causes: patriarchy, justice-system gaps, social stigma, educational deficits, and digital misogyny (use data like NFHS, NCRB, UN).

  • Outline existing framework: criminal law, domestic violence safeguards, workplace protections, and child-centric laws (BNS, PWDVA, POSH, POCSO).

  • Propose innovations: community norm change, early education, survivor-centric institutions, fast-track justice, and technology/AI-enabled safety with examples.

Conclusion:

  • Reiterate that ending violence against women is a human rights, dignity, and equality imperative, requiring holistic, multi-sectoral action beyond laws.

Introduction:

  • India is witnessing a disturbing rise in sexual violence against women, exposing a critical gap between existing legal provisions and their effective enforcement. The recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has reignited national concern, highlighting deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes, objectification of working women, and weak law-and-order responses. Tackling this menace therefore requires innovative, multi-dimensional strategies that combine social transformation, institutional accountability, and technology-driven safety mechanisms.

Body: Reasons for the Rising Incidence of Sexual Violence Against Women in India:

  • Entrenched Patriarchy and Gender Power Imbalances:

  • Deep-rooted patriarchal norms legitimise male dominance over women’s bodies, mobility, and choices, fostering entitlement, objectification, and victim-blaming- especially of working and independent women.

  • Example: NFHS-5 indicates that nearly one-third of women (15–49 years) in India have experienced physical or sexual violence, reflecting systemic gendered power asymmetries.

  • Weak Criminal Justice Response and Low Deterrence:

  • Delays in investigation, poor conviction rates, and inadequate police accountability erode the deterrent effect of laws, emboldening perpetrators and discouraging survivors from reporting.

  • Example: NCRB 2022 highlights substantial pendency in sexual offence cases, with trials often extending for years.

  • Culture of Silence, Stigma, and Under-Reporting:

  • Honour-based norms, fear of social ostracization, and victim-shaming suppress reporting, allowing perpetrators to operate with impunity.

  • Example: Studies suggest only 10–15% of cases are reported in rural India due to fear of community backlash.

  • Educational Gaps and Poor Understanding of Consent:

  • The absence of comprehensive sexuality education perpetuates ignorance about consent, bodily autonomy, and gender equality, normalising coercive behaviour.

  • Example: The Ministry of Health has flagged the lack of structured sex education in most Indian schools despite evidence of its preventive impact.

  • Digital and Media-Driven Reinforcement of Toxic Masculinity:

  • Unregulated exposure to misogynistic, violent, and pornographic content- amplified by anonymity and algorithmic reach- fuels aggression and harassment against women.

  • Examples:

  • IFF studies show a parallel rise in online harassment and offline violence.

  • UN reports 1.8 billion women globally lack legal protection against online harassment; 95% of deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic content, with 99% of victims being women.

Existing Legal and Institutional Framework to Address Sexual Violence Against Women in India:

  • Criminalisation and Enhanced Punishment:

  • India’s criminal law, under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), defines rape and prescribes stringent punishment.

  • Example: The Criminal Law (Amendment) Acts of 2013 and 2018 expanded the definition of rape, increased penalties, introduced death penalty for rape of children below 12 years, and mandated fast-track trials after the Kathua and Unnao cases.

  • Protection Against Domestic and Gender-Based Violence:

  • The law recognises sexual violence within the private sphere, including homes and marriages.

  • Examples: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides protection orders and relief to survivors, while the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 addresses coercive practices linked to domestic abuse.

  • Safeguards in Workplaces and Public Spaces:

  • Legal provisions aim to prevent sexual harassment and objectification of women in professional and public domains.

  • Examples: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act) mandates Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) in workplaces, and the Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986 prohibits derogatory depiction of women.

  • Special Protection for Children and Vulnerable Groups:

  • A separate legal regime ensures enhanced safeguards for minors against sexual exploitation.

  • Examples: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 mandates child-friendly procedures and in-camera trials, while the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 reduces vulnerabilities leading to sexual abuse.

Innovative Measures to Tackle Sexual Violence Against Women:

  • Community Engagement and Attitudinal Transformation:

  • Deep-rooted social norms can be challenged only through community-driven awareness programmes that promote consent, gender equality, and bystander intervention, with active involvement of men and local leaders.

  • Examples:

  • “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” improved gender sensitivity and challenged son preference.

  • “Bell Bajao” campaign (Breakthrough India) encouraged men to intervene against domestic violence.

  • Preventive Education and Empowerment from an Early Age:

  • Embedding gender sensitisation, consent education, and respectful behaviour in formal education helps dismantle patriarchy at the source, consistent with Gandhian non-violence.

  • Examples:

  • NEP 2020 / National Curriculum Framework (NCF) recommends age-appropriate sex education.

  • UNICEF’s “Chuppi Todo” programme sensitises schoolchildren to abuse and reporting.

  • Self-defence training by Delhi Police enhances confidence and agency among girls.

  • Institutional Support Systems and Survivor-Centric Services:

  • Strengthening institutional safety nets ensures timely support, recovery, and justice for survivors.

  • Examples:

  • Mission Shakti: Umbrella scheme for women’s safety and empowerment.

  • One Stop Centres (OSCs): Integrated police, medical, legal, and counselling support.

  • Swadhar Greh: Shelter and rehabilitation for women in distress.

  • Criminal Justice Reforms and Fast-Track Justice Delivery:

  • Swift, sensitive, and certain justice enhances deterrence and public trust in the legal system.

  • Examples:

  • Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)- over 1,000 courts set up post-Nirbhaya for rape and POCSO cases.

  • Technology and Data-Driven Safety Interventions:

  • Leveraging technology and AI can enhance prevention, reporting, and response, consistent with Bentham’s utilitarian principle of maximising societal well-being.

  • Examples:

  • Safety apps like “Himmat” (Delhi Police) with SOS and real-time location tracking.

  • AI-powered predictive policing pilots in Mumbai and Chennai to identify crime hotspots. 

Conclusion:

  • No society can be fair or healthy when half its population lives in fear. Ending violence against women is not just a policy goal, but a matter of dignity, equality, and a basic human right.