Ahmedabad, Gujarat - April 28, 2024
Against the backdrop of escalating crime rates against women in Gujarat, the "Maruti Urja" women empowerment program has emerged as a beacon of hope, aiming to empower women and inspire them to overcome challenges in their respective fields.
Organized by the All India Marwari Yuva Manch, the Maruti Urja program took place on April 27th and 28th at Maharaja Agrasen Bhawan, City Light, drawing over 200 women participants from across the country. The event, inaugurated at 11 am, featured distinguished guests including Surendra Ji Bhattad, Smt. Anuradha Ji Khaitan, Kapil Ji Lakhotia, Meenu Ji Goyal, and Ranjit G Chaudhary, among others.
Speakers at the event included inspiring figures such as Smt. Tanushree Pareek, the first Woman Combat Officer of BSF, Aanchal Kumawat, a Limca Book of Records Holder, and Ratna Priya Tiwari, Miss India Earth, who shared their remarkable achievements and stories of empowerment.
However, amidst the celebration of women's achievements, recent data presented in the Gujarat assembly has cast a shadow on the state's efforts to ensure women's safety. The data revealed a troubling trend of rising crime rates against women, with an average of six rape cases reported daily during the 2022-23 period.
Ahmedabad city, in particular, reported one rape case per day, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to protect women from harm. Despite a marginal 1% reduction compared to the previous year, the figures remain alarmingly high, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing law enforcement efforts.
Concerns have also been raised about the significant number of accused individuals who are yet to be apprehended, with 194 individuals still at large, including some who have been evading arrest for years. Critics argue that the government's failure to address the root causes of gender-based violence and ensure swift justice for victims undermines its commitment to women's safety.
As the Maruti Urja program seeks to empower women to assert their rights and pursue their aspirations, stakeholders are calling for a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying factors contributing to gender-based violence. They emphasize the need for collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the community to create a safer environment for women in Gujarat.
