In a country that prides itself on progress, culture, and moral values, the safety of women and girls remains one of India’s most painful and persistent failures. Every few days, headlines remind us that our daughters are not safe—in their homes, in their schools, on the streets, or even in public spaces that promise protection. As a girl in India, one question echoes constantly: Why is our safety still negotiable? Why does justice still move so slowly?
The recent tragedies involving 13-year-old Prabhleen from Jalandhar and 3-year-old Yadnya have once again shaken the conscience of the nation. These are not isolated events; they represent a deep-rooted problem that India has failed to control for far too long. Despite public outrage, protests, and promises, girls continue to fall victim to crimes that should not even exist in a civilized society.
Where Is the Urgency in Our Laws?
Countries around the world have established strict, swift, and uncompromising laws against sexual crimes. Many nations ensure immediate arrest, fast-track trial, and punishments that truly deter offenders. Yet in India, even after the Nirbhaya case and multiple amendments, justice remains painfully delayed and often diluted.
Why is it that a nation capable of launching space missions and leading global tech still struggles to enforce strict laws for the basic safety of women?
Why does the burden of “caution” always fall on girls, but the burden of accountability almost never falls on offenders?
A System That Reacts, But Rarely Prevents
Whenever a brutal incident occurs, we witness temporary uproar—statements, condolences, candle marches, and promises of “strict action.” But should the system respond only after a girl is harmed? Why isn’t prevention the priority?
Why are children still exposed to predators within their own neighborhoods?
Why do police, schools, and institutions still lack robust safety protocols?
Why aren’t fast-track courts uniformly mandatory for sexual crimes?
Why does conviction take years—and sometimes never come?
These are not questions that only women should be asking; these are questions the entire nation must answer.
A Girl’s Voice: We Are Not Asking for Favors—We Are Asking for Our Right to Live Safely
As a girl growing up in India, the fear is constant and exhausting. We are taught to be careful, alert, covered, polite, silent, cautious, and responsible. But who is teaching men not to harm? Who is building systems that prevent predators from walking free? Who is ensuring that justice is swift enough to maintain fear of the law?
India is home to countless powerful women in leadership, sports, science, governance, and business. Yet the one thing we still have to fight for is basic safety—the right to walk freely, live fearlessly, and grow without trauma.
The Government Must Answer
Girls and women of this country deserve to ask:
Why is there still no uncompromising, uniform, and nationwide strict law for rape—one that ensures swift punishment and zero leniency?
Why are repeat offenders, minors involved in brutal crimes, and individuals with prior complaints still able to roam freely?
Why are we waiting for the next case to remind us of what should have been fixed decades ago?
India needs:
Stronger laws with timely conviction
Mandatory fast-track courts
Better policing and surveillance
Accountability for institutional failures
Awareness and education at the root level
A national zero-tolerance policy for crimes against women
It’s Time to Raise Our Voice
We cannot let Prabhleen, Yadnya, or any other child become just another name in a long list of tragedies. Their stories must become the turning point that forces our country to rethink, reform, and reinforce its commitment to women’s safety.
As girls, we are not asking for anything extraordinary.
We are asking for the security that every human deserves.
We are asking for strict laws that match the seriousness of the crime.
We are asking for a country where justice isn’t delayed, and lives aren’t destroyed before they even begin.
India must act—now, decisively, and permanently.
Because every girl deserves a future free of fear.
~MS
