Where does a "woman stand ?"

Khangembam Priyadarshni *

One Billion Rising: Imphal - To stop violence against women on February 14 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

I would like to place my humble views through the column of your esteemed daily. I do not know much about the way of the world but as an individual I have heard of a series unfortunate incidents which have, today, compelled me to express my views on the ever burning topic of the 21st century "Where does a Woman Stand ?"

In a country like India, where Goddesses are worshipped we have people slaughtering the female child who is in no way inferior to a Goddess. It is depressing to hear of all the cases of assaults, rapes and injustice done to the womenfolk, in a world which advocates equal rights and protection of the women section.

The womenfolk have been assigned as the weaker section since time immemorial and on what basis ? No one knows. We have proven time and again that we are not the inferior section; we have reached the depths of the ocean to prove it, the heights in space to tell the tale. But even in this era that shows the peak of modern outlook, women are put down, their opinions and ideas suppressed.

Indeed it is sad to witness this; many of us I fear have seen such scenarios at the vicinity of our own homes. The female division of society have been manipulated and exploited in various ways. Right from the childhood we have been taught to bow before everyone especially the men.

Why should this be ?
Are we not humans ?
Are we not citizens of this Great country ?
With the rampant occurrence of rape cases, no woman feels safe to walk on the streets alone, no woman feels safe at their own houses and workplaces, why such cruelty ?
Are we such burdens that we have to be punished with such a heinous insult ?

I say we can reduce the number of rape cases, if instead of teaching our daughters to bow down; we teach our sons to respect and protect women right from our childhood.

Recent statistics show the alarming sex ratio of this country. A disturbing finding of the Census 2011 (provisional) figures is the continued decline in the sex ratio in the 0-6 age group. It was 945 females per 1000 males in 1991, declined to 927 in 2001 and has now further declined to 914 in 2011.

The preference for male child continues to dominate and probably, sex determination tests were being resorted to widely culminating in female foeticides as well. It is a horrifying fact that about 25 pc of the girl child born every year does not survive to celebrate their 15th birthday.

Indian Constitution have laid down progressive provisions as Article 39 (f) which states that 'Children shall be given equal opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that the children and youth shall be protected against moral and material abandonment', such assurances are meaningful only if a girl child is given the fundamental rights to be born.

The outcry in protest against those who have committed assaults on women whether it is in connection to domestic violence, mental harassment and sexual harassment is overwhelming. How many more candle marches or sit-in-protests or rallies do we need to conduct in order for our suppressed voices to be heard ?

People say not all men are bad but where are those few good that would stand up to protect women ? There is a saying there are only three kinds of people in this world- people who do good, people who do evil and the worst are the kinds, who watch evil being done and do nothing about it. It is high time we choose who we want to be.

I must sound like a feminist but let me highlight the fact that I sound like one because this nation has made me one. Standing up for women's rights and protection and believing in equal status of gender is not a crime but opposing this belief is one. All we want is to feel safe, cared for and respected.

Why shouldn't people understand this ? No man shall triumph or lead a successful life if he does not respect women and her feelings. This statement has been mentioned even in our Vedas which is the oldest manuscript. In a world, where everything has been commercialized; it is repulsive to know that a living entity such as a woman has been exploited and her beauty compromised at all levels of life. The increasing crime against women is a solid after effect of this commercialization. This must be stopped on moral ground and this can happen only when these suppressed women stand up for themselves.

In our country, Dowry - the social evil has also been on a noticeable rise. The prevalence of dowry only signifies the greed by those demanding it. It is a matter of great shame when some outsider identifies India as a country with such evil. The number of female lives who have fallen prey to the grasp of dowry is revoltingly high.

The people practicing such a thing must ask themselves whether murdering someone a petty thing called "wealth" is worth it. The answer is a stringent 'NO', no it is not fair for those who have suffered or are suffering from such torturous actions to live on without a voice.

We all must understand that the world exists not because only man exists; not because only woman exists, it exists because the male and female energy exists cohesively! And this harmony should never be questioned.

Therefore I request everyone to maintain this harmony of equality, of love and respect and start solving the issue of uplifting womenfolk in their own homes. As the saying goes 'The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that moves the world.'