More women in police, the fight worth winning

Is it ok for a woman to slap a man?

Is it ok for a woman to swear a man?

Is it ok for a woman to outrage the modesty of a man?

Few women took the law into their hands and did all of them to a man who was making abusive videos with sexual overtones against them.

Right or wrong reasons, taking the law into hands is not good for the society and the law should take its course. That’s it! It does not matter whether it is being done by men or women. In a state where men kill others for political reasons, a woman slapping a man need not be given greater importance. But the slap was on the face of many ‘alpha males’ in Kerala. They were equally surprised by the range of ‘vocabulary’ these women had! The revered health minister quickly endorsing the act made the matters worse for them.

Women may feel reassured by this bold and unlawful act. But endorsing the act will not serve good for society. For a state that is ahead of even other countries on multiple Human Development Indicators, another number needs to be addressed. That is where we should spend our energy.

As per the India Justice Report, women comprise only 6.3% of our total police force and it is only 2.1% among officers. It would do a world of good for women and the society if we have women at 33% of the police force. That is the fight worth winning. At the current pace, it would take 30 years to reach 33%. It is worth noting that there are at least 14 states with a better percentage than Kerala.

We have been raising slogans to get 33% representation in the state assembly. In the current legislative assembly of 140 members, there are only 9 women. An abysmal 6.4%! But women have grown in strength in local self-government bodies to make 54% of elected members. So it is definitely possible to increase the strength of women in the police force.

Meanwhile, the government is trying hard to avoid another lockdown as the COVID cases are mounting. The imposition of 'Section 144' has affected operations of fish and vegetable markets. That could increase the economic distress.

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