Recently India made international news as one of the worst countries to be a woman in. This is apparent from the troubling pictures we frequently encounter—the mob that stripped, beat and molested a teenage girl in Guwahati, the murder of police officer Soumya Pushpakaran, the rape and murder of a Dalit student Jisha in Kerala, the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the case of the abduction of a prominent South Indian actress, the enormous number of child abuse-related incidents. The list goes on and on.
As per the National Crime Reports Bureau, Delhi has been tagged the “rape capital“, but Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow are not far behind. Such incidents get reported from various corners of our country on a daily basis. And it’s time to ask a few questions:
Why Do Some Indian Men Use Sexual Violence Against Women?
Given the population of the country, a constant struggle goes on between what I see as the socio-economically weak, sexually uneducated India and the modern, Independent India. In cases of sexual violence, the psychology of the perpetrator is rooted in age-old patriarchal ideas that have defined Indian traditions and culture for centuries. The patriarchy allows men to hold their sway over women and commit violence against them with impunity. Viewing women as ‘an inferior breed’, the so-called man perpetrates violence, and conveniently take refuge in the mask of anonymity. He then continues with his attitude. The external manifestation of society’s outlook towards women contribute to the violence against them.
Where Does This Psychology Come From?
Undoubtedly, the first answer that comes to mind for this is family.
The social, political, traditional, cultural and economic backgrounds tie up ‘the man’ as a whole. But what is taught at home makes a huge difference. The element of respect for girls, boys, women and men, people of all genders and all ages, if inculcated in the mind of children, should produce a generation of decent gentle folk. After all, as English poet William Wordsworth said, “Child is the Father of Man“!
What Obstacles Lie Ahead?
In my opinion, institutions in India do not offer enough support for women who want to report crimes. We get guided by weak laws and their weaker implications. Further, women are restrained by their family, asked to not report or drop cases, to make sure that traditions and customs are upheld. So, basically they get to face the worst of both worlds.
The Double Standard
What seems shocking is that India a country that worships its Saraswathis and Parvathys, and at the same time restricts its women, forces them to toe the line, and proudly finds a place for itself as the top nation that disrespects and molests women.
I recently encountered some people who criticised girls for their manners and etiquette, and resorted to victim blaming. My question is, what about the women in countries like Switzerland and France? Do they toe the line like Indian women have to? And yet, look at their rankings globally! They are at the bottom of the pack in terms of the rate of violence against women.
Looking Towards Feminism
What does feminism mean? What does it contribute to society?
This is a word which has become most controversial. Feminism is broadly defined as the advocacy of women’s right on the ground of equality of sexes. It is not the propagation of womens’ heroics.
Sometimes, to preserve equality, some groups needs to be given more attention, especially for a country like India with a patriarchal background. Feminism, then, isn’t unlike the way our reservation systems work in order to make space for marginalised classes to step forward, raise their demands, and assert their rights.
Yes, somewhere along the way, feminism started getting interpreted differently at various levels and on aspects. But it has its place. I would like to draw your attention especially, the female youth’s, to something important. It is because of feminism that women like you can talk about it. It is not the ‘feminist cause’ creating a rift in society, but the men who have not kept up with the changing woman.
It is time to stop worshipping the quiet Sitas and Parvathis. It’s time to bring the Kalis out, and combat evil!