A persistent social crisis

NCRB data shows India remains unsafe for women

- 

Even as India seeks a place at the global high table with leadership of the Global South or permanent membership of the UN Security Council, the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data offers a grim counterpoint in the abysmal levels of women's safety.

The NCRB report records a four per cent rise in crimes against women in 2022 over the previous year. The increase might appear modest, but it prevails against an overall 4.5 per cent reduction in cognizable offences during the same period.

The 445,256 cases reported in 2022 translate into about 51 first information reports (FIRs) every hour. Yet, this shocking statistic is probably a significant underestimate, reflecting only crimes that are reported. Given the well documented reluctance of women to come forward to report crimes against them for reasons ranging from social harassment and personal danger to the indifference and/or intransigence of the police and justice system - it is fair to say that the problem is far worse.