Women's Quest For A Safe Corner

Soffy Nongmeikapam *

Mass Rally protesting crime against women and children :: June 29, 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

A Big Question arises on the status of women of our society-
Are women safe in our society?

Man professes morality. Man preaches values. Man give sermon's on character. Man honors our women folk. Our constitution has given equal rights to our women. Man talk of women liberation movement. These are all so pleasant to talk about.

But the reality is something else. Women have been exploited right from the beginning of the creation. Women have no personal opinion, no voice and no freedom. The role of women in society is contributed by attitude that men has given women.

Our society still continues to face atrocities such as rape and female violence. Rape cases have seen a sharp increase following several high profile cases of young girls brutally raped.

On 16th dec. 2012 in Delhi, a 23 yrs old female student was raped by six men taking turns while her male companion was thrown out of the bus. This unfortunate woman died after undergoing several surgeries.

Then coming to Manipur, and umorok trader was gang raped by four men on 22nd march 2012 in Bishnupur. Then, a class 12 female student of T.G. Higher Secondary School was sexually assaulted in a restaurant at Tiddim road near Imphal Airport.

Furthermore, there are many rape cases unreported because of fear of reprisal from the assailant and because of shame and deep-seated cultural notions that the woman is somehow to blame.

"Women invite men to harass them, molest them, and rape them by wearing provocative clothes.''

Then the big question comes up-why are kids raped? What provocative clothes do they wear? This question does not come as a surprise when we have many rape cases of school kids. School uniform is modest attire. How could it be seen as provocative?

Then why are Muslim ladies hidden behind burqas from head to toe raped? It's high time we admit that a sexual assault on a woman has nothing to do with the kind of clothes she wears. All these examples will suffice enough to prove that all women are not raped because of their skimpy clothes. Irrespective of women's attire and age, we still had men brutally raping women these days.

"We changed walking route because we are afraid. We avoid going out in the late evening. We get nervous when a man walks towards us or when we hear footsteps behind us. We avoid arguing with man because we are worried about what he might do."

The rape of women has documented as a weapon of terror in warfare. Women have become increasingly worried about their safety in the society after all the brutal cases of rape. Women's life is constrained by fear.

Besides rape cases, there are unfortunate cases when women who have dedicated their entire life to raising children and being a good wife get divorced. A woman takes many roles- mother, sister or wife.

What mother wants violence? A mother always desires that her children are safe. Women have more capacity than men for emotional bonding and attachment which is a result of the nurturing role of women with children.

The society should not forget that a woman's life is a lot more complicated than a man's life. Women bring a sense of love and emotion which is a dire need for the development of the society.

The worth of a civilization can be judged by the place given to women in the society. Both men and women should share equal responsibility in the making of society.

Still today, women are yet to get their rightful place, they will have to rise in revolt. Women must not fear to come forward to challenge the self-claimed superiority of men.

Only when these women who must be liberated from the bondages rise to the forefront, our society will grow and thrive in the future