Sameer Showkin Lone
Srinagar, Nov 09: A recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has revealed a sharp and concerning rise in crimes against women in J&K, sparking urgent calls for enhanced protective measures and policy interventions.
The NCRB report shows a 15.62% increase in crimes against women in J&K from 2020 to 2021, indicating a disturbing upward trend in incidents such as domestic violence, dowry-related offences, and sexual abuse. These findings are compiled by J&K’s Planning Development and Monitoring Department, which highlights escalating cases across several forms of gender-based violence.
According to the report, dowry abuse has gradually risen in J&K, with cases per one lakh population increasing from 0.12 in 2015 to 0.17 in 2020. Although the current figures are below the national average of 2.17%, the sustained increase underscores a growing challenge.
Shazia Jan, a researcher in Gender Studies at the University of Kashmir, warns that “while the absolute numbers remain lower than the national value, the steady rise is a cause of worry and should not be ignored.”
The report further reveals that the percentage of ever-married women aged 15-49 experiencing physical or sexual violence by their husbands increased from 9.30% in 2015-16 to 11.20% in 2020-21. Instances of sexual violence against women per lakh population also rose significantly, from 31.20% in 2015 to 35.70% in 2020, surpassing the national rate of 26.70% for the same year.
In response to the growing issue, the J&K government has initiated the establishment of women-only police stations across the Union Territory.
Another alarming trend highlighted in the report is the rise in trafficking cases. In 2020, girl children made up 50% of all trafficking victims—a significant increase from zero cases reported in both 2018 and 2019. Experts suggest this uptick indicates a pressing need for more focused anti-trafficking efforts in J&K.
The report also details cases of cruelty or physical violence by husbands or relatives, which increased from 5.30% in 2015 to 5.50% in 2020. This rise further underscores the need for both preventive and responsive measures to protect women within their homes.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the J&K government has identified ending all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces—including trafficking and exploitation—as a key target for 2030.
However, achieving this objective will require significant, sustained investment in resources, education, and social infrastructure to foster a safer environment for women across the region.
As incidents of gender-based violence continue to rise, advocacy groups, policy experts, and community leaders are calling for the swift implementation of measures aimed at both prevention and protection. The data’s implications are clear: urgent action is needed to address and reverse this troubling trend, and to ensure that J&K’s women and girls can live free from fear and violence.
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