Over 13 Lakh Girls and Women Reported Missing in India Between 2019 and 2021, Madhya Pradesh Tops the List

New Delhi, July 31, 2023: Startling data presented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Rajya Sabha has brought to light a distressing reality: more than 13.13 lakh girls and women went missing in India between 2019 and 2021.

The figures, compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau, have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of women across the country.

The data reveals that 10,61,648 women above the age of 18 and 2,51,430 girls below that age were reported missing during the three-year period. Among the states, Madhya Pradesh stands out with the highest number of cases, where nearly two lakhs of girls and women went missing. West Bengal follows closely behind, with 1,56,905 women and 36,606 girls reported missing.

Maharashtra reported 1,78,400 missing women and 13,033 missing girls, while Odisha recorded 70,222 missing women and 16,649 missing girls during the same period. Chhattisgarh saw 49,116 women and 10,817 girls reported missing between 2019 and 2021.

Even among Union Territories, the numbers are alarming. Delhi, the national capital, recorded the highest number of missing women and girls, with a staggering 61,054 women and 22,919 girls reported missing during the three-year period. In Jammu and Kashmir, 8,617 women and 1,148 girls were reported missing.

In response to the concerning statistics, the government has assured that it is taking numerous initiatives to enhance the safety and security of women across the country. However, the magnitude of the issue calls for urgent and comprehensive measures to address the root causes behind these disappearances and ensure the protection of women’s rights.

As the nation grapples with this disturbing reality, it becomes imperative for authorities, civil society, and citizens to come together and work towards creating a society where women feel safe, empowered, and valued, and where their rights are safeguarded at all times.