Gender neutrality in laws is a pertaining issue in the Indian law scenario. To keep in terms with the principles of gender neutrality, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has proposed to bring about an amendment in the existing POCSO law. The amendment is to cover sexual abuse of the boy child. The amendment is yet to be passed by the cabinet ministry for further evaluation.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012 was formulated in order to ‘effectively address sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children.’ The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 received the President’s assent on 19th June 2012 and was notified in the Gazette of India on 20th June 2012.
The Law Ministry has accepted the proposal to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, for enhancing punishment in cases of sexual assault against young boys, officials said.
“Child sexual abuse is gender neutral. Boys who are sexually abused as children spend a lifetime of silence because of the stigma and shame attached to male survivors speaking out. It is a serious problem and needs to be addressed,” said Maneka Gandhi earlier in April.
Earlier, WCD Minister had supported a petition on Change.org by film-maker-activist Insia Dariwala, who said, “male child sexual abuse is an ignored reality in India.” The cabinet is yet to approve of the changes by two to three days.
“Amendments to the POCSO Act for enhanced punishment for sexual assaults of young boys have been approved by the Law Ministry. It will be sent to the Cabinet in two-three days,” the WCD Ministry official said, without elaborating on the details of the proposal.
Sources said that the Ministry was working on the proposal to amend the Act to award death penalty to those convicted of raping children below 12 years.