KOZHIKODE: In the light of the one-day observance against domestic violence under the aegis of district administration on Saturday, the lawyers and activists here feel that there should be a timely updating of laws for the protection of women. They opined that though the Act that came into force could prevent many major attacks on the educated women and women from above average families, the plight of the poor is still way behind. Kozhikode women’s police cell CI A. Shanty said there was no sign of crimes against women reducing in the city. In fact, they show an upward trend, and the more cases are related to dowry deaths and abuse by husbands and their relatives.
“The Act could bring some solace to their immediate demand as they had no place to complain. However, this has not reduced the number of crimes against them. A major reason would be the delay in considering the cases and trial that follows. There should be fast-track courts that deal only with the cases of domestic violence,” said Ms Shanty. An open forum was organised by social justice department at the District Panchayat Hall on Saturday. Activist K. Ajitha opined that there should be timely updating in any law that could accommodate the changing social situations.
