Rape and Independence

 

"When you rape, beat, maim, kill a woman, you are not just harming one woman. You are ripping apart the fabric of society." – Arundhati Roy

In my country, nothing truly belongs to a woman, not even her body. When a woman is raped, society often blames her instead of holding the rapist accountable. People first ask, “What was she wearing?” or “Why was she out at night?” instead of questioning the rapist. 

"A rapist is not born, but nurtured by a society that excuses him while questioning the woman’s character." - Manasi Prasad

I still remember the words of one of the Nirbhaya rapists. He said that he raped her because she was out at night, so she "deserved" it. When did nights become exclusive for men? How does a woman being outside at night mean she is asking to be raped? 

This mentality is actually created by society, our parents, and ourselves.

Every girl in India grows up hearing comments like -

“Girls shouldn’t stay out at night.”

“Your brother is a boy; he can do whatever he wants. You are a girl!”

“What will people say if you wear short skirts?”

“Why are you wearing sleeveless clothes? You will give men the wrong signals.”

“Meet your friends nearby our home. It’s not safe for girls to travel far.”

These statements forces the idea that a woman’s safety depends on her obedience to restrictive social norms. The responsibility of "avoiding rape" is thus placed on women instead of teaching men not to rape.

"True freedom cannot exist in a society that chains its women under norms and fear." – Kamala Das

Parents are more focused on restricting their daughters' freedom than on raising their sons right. While men enjoy more liberties, women’s freedom is constantly snatched away. 

"Half of India’s strength, wisdom, and potential is lost every day, shackled in the kitchens and boundaries set for its daughters." – Arundhati Roy

There is a rape every 16 minutes in India. Ask the women in your family whether they feel safe walking alone at 9 pm. For many, the answer is no. 

"You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women." – Jawaharlal Nehru

India celebrated its 78th Independence Day last year. But when half the population of India don't feel safe and free, is India truly "Independent"? 

"Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me." – Nelson Mandela