One-day workshop on Understanding Legal Provision for Women under IPC

Concept Note

Sexual harassment of women in a metro city is not a new phenomenon. Delhi being one of the most

important metro cities of the country has seen many cases on harassments of women in Delhi and NCR.

Delhi is the capital of India and acts as the Eldorado for many citizens of the country and the people

from North East are not left behind. Delhi is considered one of the most unsafe Cities in India where the

crime rate against North East women has been figured highest.

There are about 200,000 people from the north-east living in Delhi and every year, there has been an

increase of 13.62% people from NE coming to Delhi. The women from northeast came to Delhi for

availing better education and employment avenues. (See Mail Today paper, 18 April 2011)

Delhi is more than 2000 kms away from Northeast region. There is a distinct difference in the culture

and way of living between the two. Places like Delhi, women have been targeted irrespective of age or

any other categories. However, the distinct physical appearances of the women from the Northeast

make them even more vulnerable. And the lack and non-appreciation of the culture of the northeast

people by mainland Indian made things/situations more difficult. It has been reported that 78% of North

East women face humiliation and racial discrimination.

Northeast women faced problems and harassment everywhere from house-owners to employers,

colleagues, local people in the locality, street etc. Eve teasing is so common that one have lost counts of

the number of incidences. The eating habits and way of dressings have been used an easy excuse by

many people thereby justifying the act of the perpetrators.

In addition to these problems, the unfriendly attitude and environment of Delhi police and the police

stations had added on to the trauma faced by the women from northeast. Many of the cases went

unreported. And even when reported, only few cases are being followed up. Since 2005, 96 criminal

cases were reported but only 36 cases were registered with the Delhi police and out of which only 11

are being followed up.

This non-perusal of cases has made the perpetrators to continue doing their criminal activities as it

created a notion of NO fear, guilt and shame. The lack of any concrete steps in taking actions against the perpetrators further discourages women to not report the harassment and to suffer it in silence.

In 2011, there are already 20 cases against NE people. 50% of the victims of sexual harassment incidents in the capital are faced by the people from northeast India. The increase in the harassment of the women from Northeast in Delhi is a matter of deep concern. It is important to look at how the women could be empowered to tackle the problems. It is in the plight of these aspects that the PERC wishes to conduct a training workshop with an attempt to assert our rights and to live in Delhi with dignity. 

The training workshop will focus on:

- Create awareness of the legal instruments available under the Indian constitution for women

- Familiarize with reporting crimes to police, lodging FIR etc

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One-day workshop on
“Understanding Legal Provision for Women under IPC”
Room No. 413, Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road
18 June, 9 am – 5 pm
 
Organised by
Peace Education Resource Centre (PERC), Delhi
                                                                                                           
9:00 – 9:40 Registration + Welcome Tea
 
9:40 – 10:00 Introduction: Aton Mungleng, PERC Coordinator
 
SESSION: I – WOMEN AND  IPC
10:00 – 10:45 Law pertaining to Violence against women
- Ms Gargi Hazarika, Advocate, Supreme Court
      
10:45 - 11:30 Women Rights related to Police
- Banju Raj Kumari, Advocate (tbc)
 
SESSION:II – EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND
11:30 – 11:45 Personal testimonies from MSAD, NSUD and others
 
  
11:45 – 1:00 Film Screening and Discussion
By Safe Delhi Campaign, JAGORI
 
1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch

SESSION: II – WORKSHOP
2:00 – 4:00 pm Workshop - Familiarize with reporting crimes to police, lodging FIR
etc
- Mr Stephen Yanthan

- Mr Worso Zimik
SESSION: III – PROVISIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
4:00 – 5:00 pm 

Application of International Norms and Human Rights for Women in
Northeast India
- Sreekala, North East Network

5:00 – 5:30 Summing up and concluding remarks: PERC Member

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