A few months ago, I heard of a friend’s friend who had an abusive boyfriend. When asked about how she could be protected, fresh into being an activist myself – I told my friend to get to the local police. Apparently, the boyfriend had connections in the police department and her friend did not want to go through with what could be a lifelong battle against a man who hit her. She was only 21.
At a younger age, women today seem to be skipping out on their feminist phase. With the lure of the media forcing freedom loving women into skinny anorexic bodies – almost 85% of today’s young women miss out on the liberating phase of their lives, when they embrace their femininity, sexuality and acknowledge their right to be anyone they want to be. Even if they talk about ‘how the modern woman is an equal with a man’ – it mostly is conversation starter to a dialogue of hunky-dory boyfriends they would do anything for.
An activist in my own right, I decided to look into the feminist movement in Pune on the 12th of June, 2010. At a panel discussion organized by Open Space and Aayam - a stage full of role models, the women of today require, spoke about protecting Women’s Rights. From an NGO called MAVA (Men Against Violence and Abuse), Harish Sadani represented the men folk; Manisha Gupte from MASUM represented the liberated women and the true spirit of feminism; Dr. Neelam Gorhe, an MLA and ardent activist; Asim Sarode, a Human Rights Lawyer from Sahyog Trust, DCP Sanjay Jadhav, a cyber crime specialist to finally a representative from Open Space and former editor of The Times of India, Pune – Sherna Gandhy took to stage to discuss our current situation with blunt honesty.
The collective real purpose behind all of their work is not to protect women, but to protect her rights. They spoke about how easy it was for ‘culprits’ to escape in the county and the lengthy period it took to put the guilty away in cases of child abuse – forcing it to follow her into womanhood ultimately ruining her life. They pointed out the lack of police sensitive in some cases. They spoke about how there is no ‘glam’ in a case of violence and abuse with it not following up with it, allowing it to die out.
All of them also spoke about how we could work toward correcting a dire situation. To begin with, Sadani explained how men must be engaged in this process and given a platform to relate – in a non-threatening safe space. For them to give up their ‘patriarchal dividend’, men need to see that equality is a right and be educated on that fact. Gupte elaborated on what it meant to protect a woman’s rights. Forcing her to stay indoors (at home, where four out of 10 women in India experience violence), telling her she cannot work the same hours as a man or wear the clothes she wants to – is very simply taking her right to freedom. Instead, she must be aware of her rights, taught to defend herself and given guidelines on how to dress smart: which would mean not wearing sarees at night, wearing shoes that would allow her to run if need be and not have restricted movement. Dr. Gorhe called for freedom from a patriarchal society that didn’t belong in the 21st century and for a city with gender equality. Sarode said that when it came to the police department, they asked that police departments come equipped with professional counselors to help victims instead of traumatizing her with unnecessary people questioning her. He pointed out that the public needs to be educated about listening to the victims story and how to preserve evidence instead of being ignorant and destroying it. It would make putting perpetrators behind bars easier and faster. DCP Jadhav said that there had to be an investment made by corporates that have female employees that work late. Many companies choose to ignore guidelines issued by the police, which must change. Gandhy closed with saying that the media has a responsibility, which comes along with the power to influence the way people react to women’s issues.
To an audience that entailed of men and women, young and old, what incurred was a discussion that raised awareness and shifted focus from protecting the woman to protecting her rights. It brought out younger women who are learning what it takes to come to forefront and continue fighting for the same rights.
Aayam is a group of women journalists in Pune affiliated with the network of women in the media, India (NWMI).
Open Space is an initiative of the Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS). It works to encourage debate, discussion and action on contemporary issues, especially amongst young people.
Website: www.openspaceindia.org Ph: 020 2545 7371
- Apphia K
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