What this woman has suffered is endured by every woman in this country everyday. The formal equality that we have today only makes it harder to see the reality of being an educated, ambitious woman in India.
The problem is not just with rape or extreme forms of violence against women, the real issue is in the strongly patriarchal and chauvinistic construct of the society we live in. A girl child is made to feel different and inferior from the very inception. At home, school, college, on the streets, at work and every juncture of life we live in fear and submission.
I don`t believe in the death sentence. Two wrongs don`t make a right. It saddens me to watch our politicians shamelessly demanding for this, which conveniently takes away the focus from the real issues.
Here is what I, a citizen thinks must be done:
1. Ensure all girl children get to school. Have strict rules to prevent gender discrimination in schools. Teach her how to protect herself and more importantly teach him not to ever put her in a situation where she must.
2. Get the censor board involved. The media, music videos, movies, serials and other forms of visual entertainment are equally to be blamed for the shameful manner in which they depict women. If you can have pop up warnings when a cigarette is pulled out why can;t we insist on a message popping up when there are abusive or demeaning scenes against women stating that this constitutes a criminal offense.
3. The fitness centers and all schools and colleges must offer self defense classes.
4. All the MLAs and persons holding official and political positions or offices accused of sexual assault must be immediately dealt with. Suspend, hell - dismiss them.
5. Any form of harassment including inappropriate remarks or behaviour causing discomfort to a woman must constitute an offense and repeated offenders must be dealt with severely.
6. We must carry out a national mid night rally, wear what ever we want and walk around in the open. It is time to reclaim our roads.
I am glad to see the outrage of women everywhere. Even in these horrible times I find comfort in knowing that there are so many millions who will feel for me should I suffer some day.
The problem is not just with rape or extreme forms of violence against women, the real issue is in the strongly patriarchal and chauvinistic construct of the society we live in. A girl child is made to feel different and inferior from the very inception. At home, school, college, on the streets, at work and every juncture of life we live in fear and submission.
I don`t believe in the death sentence. Two wrongs don`t make a right. It saddens me to watch our politicians shamelessly demanding for this, which conveniently takes away the focus from the real issues.
Here is what I, a citizen thinks must be done:
1. Ensure all girl children get to school. Have strict rules to prevent gender discrimination in schools. Teach her how to protect herself and more importantly teach him not to ever put her in a situation where she must.
2. Get the censor board involved. The media, music videos, movies, serials and other forms of visual entertainment are equally to be blamed for the shameful manner in which they depict women. If you can have pop up warnings when a cigarette is pulled out why can;t we insist on a message popping up when there are abusive or demeaning scenes against women stating that this constitutes a criminal offense.
3. The fitness centers and all schools and colleges must offer self defense classes.
4. All the MLAs and persons holding official and political positions or offices accused of sexual assault must be immediately dealt with. Suspend, hell - dismiss them.
5. Any form of harassment including inappropriate remarks or behaviour causing discomfort to a woman must constitute an offense and repeated offenders must be dealt with severely.
6. We must carry out a national mid night rally, wear what ever we want and walk around in the open. It is time to reclaim our roads.
I am glad to see the outrage of women everywhere. Even in these horrible times I find comfort in knowing that there are so many millions who will feel for me should I suffer some day.
