Respect Women. Voice against sexual violence!!!

Most women are victims of several social stigmas every day. Some of them are crimes of most heinous nature. India ranks number 3 in top 10 countries that reported rape in 2015. As if this wasn't shameful enough, the fact that 98% of the cases reported were committed by someone known to the victim, is. An average of 2~3 rapes happen every hour in India according to The National Crime Records Bureau. And yet we still need to hold protest for justice. They say, "Justice delayed is Justice denied". Why can't there be a better system in place for timely justice!!! How many Nirbhayas before our government did something on this!!!

In our world, more often than not, women are blamed for whatever reason and the Society disregards every atrocity they have been forced to go through. Over and over again, the issue of abuse, sexual assault and rape is twisted inside out. Women are told not to walk alone or wear the "wrong" clothing, or they are inviting a sexual attack. In the aftermath of rape too, women are questioned about what they wore, whether they were drunk and what they did to "provoke" their attacker. In the legal system, they're questioned about whether they fought hard enough or whether they sent "mixed signals." The message in this and so many other cases is that the burden is on women to prevent rape, rather than on men to not rape. 

The way they dress has nothing to do with these crimes. Women get raped. Even infants, 1 year old, 2 years old. There exists psychopaths and perverts among us. Period. 

"Was it because of me?", asked the Short Skirt.
"No it happened with me too", replied the Burkha.
The diaper in the corner couldn't even speak.
- Darshan Modkar

Women are not to be blamed for it but our system. Men don't rape and those who do are no better than evils. "De Wallen, the most notorious red light district in the world, yet one of the safest places on earth", written by a woman herself tells the story. I don't think we should be telling women anything. Rather, we should be telling men and start the conversation there. Start with our kids. Teach them at school. Teach them at home. Teach them at all places. Just one thing. That women need to be respected. 

Let them be known to respect one and all and of course to stand for one another at all times. If you come across domestic violence. Stop it. If you see a women being harassed at work, in a mall, in a cinema, in a bus stop or anywhere. Stop it.

If we want to stop sexual assault, it will take a fight against the entrenched sexism and victim-blaming atmosphere of such institutions. And beyond that, it will take a fight against a society that instills into the minds of young men that they are entitled to access women's bodies. Let's raise our voice against sexual violence. Let's make our women feel safe. 

"If you are a man who respects women… her rights, her dignity, her independence, her mind, her body, her life… you are a #MARD” - Farhan Akthar 
(MARD/ Men Against Rape and Discrimination )

- DC

The society that is!!

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