Concern over the low conviction rate in cases of crime against women was raised at a discussion on the topic, ‘Women’s rights too are human rights,’ organised by the People’s Watch here last week.
Advocate Ramani Mathew pointed out that among 923 rape cases reported in Tamil Nadu in 2013, the conviction rate stood at only 20 per cent.
It was sad that the national average also was low at 23 per cent and hence it had become essential for women to sustain the fight for their rights. She called for appointment of dynamic persons as heads of state and national commissions for women.
E. Devasagayam, rights ideologue, felt that the tendency to look at violence against women as a cultural and personal problem should be put an end to.
Though there were enough legislations and judgements in the country to protect women, there were impediments to their implementation, he also added.
