In the second of two SoroptiVoice posts from Soroptimists in India, reacting to the terrible gang-rape and murder in Delhi, Sujatha Balakrishnan, President of SI Bangalore reflects on how attitudes to women need to change.
The attack in Delhi reflects the fact that our views concerning women in India date back to the Stone Age. We have to break the shackles of male chauvinism to march towards a society that accepts and respects gender equality.
It is high time that society stops objectifying women as sex objects. The media, which is one of the most powerful tools to create an awareness among the masses, should be sensitive to this issue.
The societal norms and social attitude towards women need drastic change. We are so deeply embedded in patriarchy, a strong deterrent to gender equality. Change can be achieved by every family becoming sensitive and inculcating a sense of respect towards the opposite sex in the tender minds of their children.
Attitudes do vary to a certain extent between the rural and urban sections of society. Many cases of rape are not registered in the rural sector because of the social stigma attached to it. However in urban centres, with education and empowerment, a slightly larger percentage of cases are getting reported.
If we want to see the change, let us be the change. Women must develop the inner strength and confidence to stand and speak up for themselves. The subservient and dependent attitude should be replaced by an independent and authoritative attitude. Even the smallest form of injustice must be reported. For this, the term “social stigma”, must be removed from the dictionary. Of course, this surely needs the support of family, friends and society at large. If we remain mute spectators to any form of violence, crime against women will not decrease.
Women should realize the ‘Shakti’, which means power, within themselves and become economically independent to be able to herald a society which treats women with dignity and restore the fundamental right of equality.
Our work in India will increase by leaps and bounds as we, as Soroptimists, have a huge responsibility of protecting the “Future of the girl child”. In this context, SI of Bangalore is in the process of partnering with SI of Pune Metro East, a programme on gender sensitisation in schools. This programme will target students of Grade VI and VII. It would also help if martial arts training is made compulsory in schools, particularly for girls.
Within the womb, there is no protection because of foeticide. Even if they are spared, outside the womb also, there is no protection because of the violence, intimidation, discrimination meted out to them. Where is the safety for women?????
Image: Sujatha Balakrishnan (front centre) at SI Bangalore’s march in memory of "Damini", the 23 year old physiotherapy student whose rape and murder in Delhi shocked India and the world.