... it is conscious and tactical ... 

Statistically or theoretically, women in West Bengal are safe and secure, and they are going ahead to empower themselves. The government of West Bengal claims with wide publicity that it is seriously conscious of females, and it has been continuously taking programs for women's safety and better futures in a male-dominated arena. It might claim for ‘Kanyashree,’ ‘Rupashree,’ ‘Sabujsathi,’ ‘Swasthasathi,’ and last but not least, ‘Laxmi Bhander’.

But these are only for securing the women's vote bank at present and in the future. It might claim that girls' attendance in school has been increasing because female literacy is at 70.54 percent (as per the latest census). Further, female enrollment has increased in regular mode (41.95% to 48.71%) in the field of higher education (according to the population survey, 2021). But what is the quality of education, and what is the rate of school dropout? Of course, in general, dropout is high in all genders. The rates of domestic violence, underage marriage, and underage pregnancies have practically increased. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2022 the crime rate against women in Kolkata was at 27.1 per lakh population. Further, the NCRB report on violence against women in West Bengal, ‘West Bengal is among the top five states that recorded the highest number of crimes against women (34,738 crimes against women cases registered in West Bengal in 2022).’ It is about 71.8%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 65.4%. In fact, the trend in crimes against women in Bengal is worrisome. We should keep in mind that the real statistic of sex crimes against women is under scrutiny because of the potential role of reporting bias. Many women hesitate to report sexual violence (in West Bengal, it is only 9%, while the national rate is 12%) ‘due to a combination of social stigma, humiliation, shame, or reluctance of male police officers and political discrimination and threat by the local leaders of the political party in rule to register crimes against women in patriarchal societies.’ In our open eyes, it might be stated that ‘a superficial reading of NCRB data suggesting Bengal is safe for women is misleading; evidence of extensive and worsening reporting bias in the state suggests that what NCRB data reveals could well be the tip of the iceberg. ’

The government of West Bengal fails to make educated girls as assets. In poor families, girls remain as liabilities and burdens. The male domination as well as political discrimination and domination become stronger. It is evident that reservation or representation of women in lower to upper houses has been significantly increased. But it is under the supervision of the male domination or strictly in the political party’s supervision. Women have little ability to do and to think independently while the chief of the state is dominating and controlling her all-male colleagues.

Dole for the female makes them doll, and they are sexually assaulted and abused for dole. The incidents of Kamodini, Sandeshkhali, R.G.Kar, and so forth are only a little record of the female voices against the leaders, but more incidents are in suppression. The political environment of West Bengal has not been based on principles, but it has established a policy of deprivation, qualitatively and quantitatively, which is strictly controlled for corruption.

It refers to the Walker’s “Battered Woman Syndrome” that ‘women are always caught in a cycle of violence in which they experience marginalization, verbal abuse, isolation, and small instances of physical abuse initially. This leads to an acute battering episode, which is followed by an episode of love and repentance on the part of the batterer.’ Women are “learned helplessness”.

While the celebratory discourse of women’s empowerment and various commemorations to eliminate violence continue throughout the nation, ‘the question of when women will truly be able to live a life without fear of violence remains unanswered. Is this too much to ask for?’