Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Shri S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India

(Geneva on 20 June 2022)

Thank you, Mr President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for presenting her first report and take note of the conclusions and recommendations made.

2. India regards all its citizens as indigenous. The Constitution provides for notification of certain communities as Scheduled Tribes (ST) and envisages affirmative action in their favour through reservation of seats in representative bodies, educational institutions, employment etc. It mandates 33% reservation of total seats for women in local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities, laying a strong foundation for their participation in decision making at the local levels.

3. The Government of India condemns all forms of discrimination against women and girls and is actively pursuing the target of eliminating discrimination and violence in India. Special laws pertaining to domestic violence, sexual harassment of women at workplace, prohibiting child marriage and sex selective conception and abortion have been put in place to augment gender equality.

4. In order to address crimes against Scheduled Tribes and to better secure their rights, far reaching amendments were introduced in the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

5. We would like to know from the SR on what are the other best practices available in eliminating the violence against women and girls.

I thank you, Mr President.

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