Situation unchanged despite tougher anti-rape law: Speaker

New Delhi – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Monday said that despite the government having brought out a tougher law to fight sexual harassment, nothing much has really changed in the past year and society must rise to ensure the safety of women.

Speaking outside parliament on the anniversary of the Dec 16 Delhi gang-rape, Meira Kumar said the country witnessed an uprising in the aftermath of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman with people demanding a stronger law to fight rape and sexual harassment.

“..There was an uprising, a demand for doing something very effective for the security of women. The parliament session was on at the time and we passed a unanimous resolution. The prevailing act of that time was brought to parliament and after opinions were invited from all sections of society, the act was made more stringent,” she said.

“But in the last one year I do not think the situation has really changed. We need to implement this act at all levels, and the society must try, ! must rise and ensure safety of women,” Meira Kumar said.