When we talk about violence against women, we are talking about violence against a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and, most importantly, a human being. We are also talking about women who fear for their lives when they go outside alone. We are talking about women who restrict their clothing out of fear of giving the wrong impression. We are talking about women who have been taught more about screaming for help, carrying pepper spray, and sharing their location than about freedom and empowerment. When we talk about violence against women, we, unfortunately, limit ourselves to just talking.
Introduction
Violence against women by definition refers to act of physical, sexual, mental harm against women. This could take forms of domestic violence, work place harassment, sexual violence, physical harassment etc. However, if we go beyond the definition, we understand that such acts can affect a woman for her entire life, leaving mental and physical scars that are often beyond repair. Very few women are able to summon the courage to rebuild their lives after these heinous crimes, and tragically, many do not survive the violence.
This year’s newspaper headlines were filled with several unfortunate incidents of such acts of violence. One particularly tragic incident occurred just before our Independence Day, which should make us question ourselves as a society. We claim to belong to an independent India, but are our women truly independent? We must ask ourselves where we have gone wrong, that we have created a world where the very gender we pray to, lives in fear of existing. We must strive to do better, to create an environment where every woman feels safe and secure, we owe it to all the women around us.
Reasons for violence against women
‘Reasons’ is an unjustifiable term when it comes to a discussion on this topic because nothing can explain such disgusting crimes. Absolutely nothing is excusable when it comes to something as severe as committing gender-based violence. However, there are factors we could hold accountable, such as not educating our sons about consent, not respecting women and treating them as objects, and failing to take responsibility for the unjustifiable crimes that women endure. While one doesn’t need a PhD to understand the meaning of a simple word like “no,” it is still crucial to educate society about these crimes.
Whenever a discussion on such a topic arises, one often recalls a quote from Khaled Hosseini’s novel A Thousand Splendid Suns: “Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman.” And unfortunately, this is the reality not just for men, but for many women in our society as well. The absolute last thing we, as human beings, should do is blame the victim for the crime. No outfit, no amount of makeup, no character judgment is an excuse for gender-based violence. The only one at fault is the criminal; the only one who should be ashamed is the criminal; the only one who should be punished is the criminal; and the only crime is the one committed by the criminal!
Why are gender-based crimes such an important issue?
Tarana Burke once said, “Violence against women is not just a women’s issue. It’s a societal issue that affects us all.” This is precisely why gender-based violence is such a severe and important issue. It doesn’t just impact one woman, but all of us. Every time there’s a headline about gender-based violence, a father refuses to let his daughter study in a new city, a mother doesn’t allow her daughter to work in an unfamiliar environment, and women think twice before doing basic activities like taking a cab or going for a run in the evening. Women are denied opportunities and develop trust issues, while men are viewed with a constant stare of fear. Gender-based violence hinders societal progress and undermines equality.
The environment it creates in society is undoubtedly one of mistrust and fear, but it is far worse for the victim. Regrettably, we live in a world where the victim can be anyone—from a year-old baby to even a dead corpse. It’s horrifying that these women must endure such traumatizing experiences. No human being deserves it, yet many are subjected to it in our country. Gender-based violence is absolutely and unjustifiably horrific, because its impact runs deeper, it scars a person in more than one way, creating a world where the line between humans and monsters begins to blur.
What can we do as an individual?
Educate, educate, and educate! It is essential to raise awareness about this issue among everyone around you. Violence against women should become a household conversation so that every family member understands how significant a concern it is. Furthermore, making it a regular topic of discussion creates a safe environment. This way, if anyone (God forbid) experiences something of this nature, they won’t hesitate to talk about it and seek justice.
Zero tolerance for such behaviour is essential. Ensure that you surround yourself with the right people. If anyone, be it a family member, friend, or colleague, supports or engages in such behaviour, it’s crucial to call them out, cut contact immediately, and report them if necessary.
Monitor your own behaviour: ensure that you are not part of the problem and do your utmost to create an environment where women feel safe.
Another important step we must take as individuals is to ensure our own safety. It’s unfortunate that, despite having no role in such crimes, we are the ones who need to make changes. However, always share your location while traveling alone, keep an emergency contact on speed dial, and implement other preventive measures as well. Additionally, it’s vital to speak up. If you experience anything like this, remember that your voice can impact the lives of many other women. Don’t suffer in silence, share your experience and seek support.
This goes without saying, but always stand in solidarity with the victim.
What can we do as a society?
The most important thing we can do unitedly is to refuse to stay silent. Today, we have the power of social media, and we should use it for the right cause. When such a terrible crime occurs, we need to spread awareness and use our voices to compel the authorities to take immediate action. We must also be sensitive to the issue and adhere to necessary guidelines when discussing the crime (such as not using the victim’s name or images). Our support can take many forms: whether by attending candlelight vigils and rallies, reaching out to the victim or their family, or assisting authorities in locating the criminal. By coming together, we can make a meaningful effort to restore a world where humanity still exists.
Government’s Role in Combating Gender-Based Violence
Our government can play a crucial role in ensuring that gender-based violence does not occur. The first step should be to implement stricter policies and laws against offenders, and it is also the government’s responsibility to ensure that justice is delivered to the victim’s family. Unfortunately, it often takes years for victims to receive justice, which can be demoralizing. Additionally, the government should incorporate education on gender-based violence and individual safety into the curriculum and ensure that training is provided in the workplace as well. They should also ensure that media outlets, journalists, and law enforcement handle these situations with the utmost sensitivity. The government is elected by its people, and at the very least, it must ensure their safety.
Conclusion
In 2022, it was reported that there were over 445,000 crimes against women in India—approximately one crime every 51 minutes. Every minute you choose to stay silent is a minute that contributes to this ongoing crisis. It is imperative that we begin to act as a society, as professionals, and as human beings.
By: Hansika Sinha
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