Gender justice, women empowerment is high on the agenda for Rahul Gandhi

For newly appointed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, gender justice and women empowerment are high on the agenda. Taking cognsiance of reports of the alleged rape of 11 minor tribal girls in Chattisgarh within a government run residential school, Rahul Gandhi has urged the Youth Congress and NSUI members in the state to take up the issue and compel the BJP state government to take action.

Rahul Gandhi had also recently visited the family of the Delhi gang rape victim alongwith Congress President Sonia Gandhi, soon after the Centre issued an ordinance on sexual assault paving the way for death penalty for rape in certain cases.    

Congress MP and former Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury is also in Chattisgarh to protest against the BJP led state government’s inaction in ensuring justice to the rape victims who are minors. Chowdhury said, “The incidents took place in August last year but have come to light only now. The state government is not allowing a free and fair enquiry, they are more interested in sweeping things under the carpet.” Chowdhury emphasizes that the victims in this case were minor tribal girls between the ages of five and 12 and were under the care of their warden and school staff, who turned out to be their aggressors.

The Congress-led Centre had in the wake of the horrific Delhi gang rape incident in December, committed to bringing in stronger laws to tackle crimes against women. When the elder brother of the Delhi gang rape victim urged that one of the accused who is a juvenile should not be allowed to get away with a light sentence on the plea that he is a juvenile, Rahul Gandhi reportedly assuaged his concerns but added that “the law had to take its course.” He also informed them about the steps being taken by the government such as the Ordinance on sexual assault to ensure better safety and security for women.

Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson, had met the family earlier, and was reportedly keen to stay in touch with them and assure them that "their daughter’s life had not gone in vain."