Bengal numero uno,but in violence against women

The grim statistics point to one thing about,which activists and NGOs are crying hoarse for a long time — the poor implementation of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act,2005 (PWDVA). The state government,however,begs to differ.

“PWVDA is a new Act,and while I must say that the implementation is not very good in this state,we must remember,it is worse elsewhere. Also,spousal violence is not the only kind of domestic violence,but there are other kinds of violence like those perpetrated on elderly women by their children and violence on sisters by brothers,which are checked by this Act,” said Malini Bhattacharya,chairperson of West Bengal Commission for Women.

“Moreover,Bengal is the only state where Protection Officers have been appointed,” she added.

The NGOs,which are working against domestic violence,say that much needs to be done. “We have conducted a survey of over 14,000 women across seven districts of the state and it has revealed that the women’s plight,” said Kakoli Bhattacharya,secretary of NGO Swayam.

About 22 NGOs have submitted a list of eight demands that include starting of a 24-hour emergency police helpline for women,children and senior citizens,increasing the number of Protection Officers to one in each block and one in each borough among others.

Biswanath Choudhury,Minister for Social Welfare,meanwhile,said that he was not aware of the report’s findings.

“I do not know much about this matter. We will have to check records and find out,” he said.