The Rohtak women, and many others, have shown immense courage despite the subtle and subliminal messaging that girls internalize as they grow up - of somehow feeling ashamed and guilty when men abuse and violate them. I'm sure many girls were told to be conservative as they grow up so that they don't attract unwanted male attention. They were also taught to avoid conversations with men to the possible extent. All this did not help as most girls even at a very young age endure many boys and men fondling them - dressing in a way isn't the reason for abuse. What with an infant getting abused! It all lies with the mindset of the man who is at fault. It sure does not foster pride and love for those girls. They do not feel comfortable in it or about it.
So, speaking up as the Rohtak girls did should be part of the narrative of raising girls - not advocating vigilantism and beating up men or raising women to think of men as their adversaries here. Nor is that a solution to the problem, although the symbolism of the Rohtak girls' actions sends a strong and timely message.
The media will highlight these heroines once in a while, but abuse happens every day. The solution is therefore telling our girls and boys every day how beautiful, precious and inviolable their bodies are. It is not an easy task to make girls feel comfortable in the society at large. Our girls must be told their bodies are for them to be proud and happy about, and cannot be touched or commented upon by anyone without their consent.
The solution is therefore to raise our girls and boys more fairly and equitably. So they do not stand by just watching the next time anyone is subjected to harassment and step up every time to help that girl or woman who is in need. So they applaud the one who raised his or her voice at her treatment. Let's take back India from men who terrorize women without punishment.
-DC
Courtesy: Devyani Khobragade - Blog @ NDTV
