by Renu Singh
Whether it’s Tahrir Square in Cairo, streets of New Delhi, France, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka, there is an fierce demand for equality in the voices of all those protesting against sexual violence inflicted on women around the world. The India gang rape incident sparked anger and outrage at national and international levels, fueled by international media coverage, and showed that women are still struggling for the right to live and be treated with fairness and respect.
This is not the first time a woman has been sexually assaulted in India. Women, especially in the bottom tiers of the caste system continue to endure harsh inhumane treatment in India, most of which goes unreported or unpunished. They are ridiculed, assaulted, sexually molested, and harassed by the looters and by those that are supposed to be their protectors. Police and army have been torturing and raping young girls and women in Kashmir for years. Indigenous women and girls from Jharkhand and other surrounding areas suffer at the hands of Indian uniforms on a daily basis.
In the wake of the recent gang rape incident in India and mob sex attacks on women protesters in Egypt, the international media has provided a significant insight into issues of violence against women in India and other countries. As time goes by, we only hope that this is not just another knee-jerk response from the media and activists around the world. The progressive voices must continue to pierce through the laws that only protect the perpetrators and further victimize the victims.
Most of all, perspectives need to be changed—notions that have been founded in our attitudes toward women need to be injected with common sense and awareness. The world needs to learn that sexual assault against women is not a feminist issue, but a serious matter for everyone that needs aggressive laws to address it. An assault on a woman’s dignity is an assault on a family, a community, a nation, and the society we live in. It is a crime against the people and a strike on the dignity of all humanity.
The intent to report effectively and honestly goes a long way for both mainstream and social media, but reporting on incidents like this dies down as other more important issues take over the centre stage. But, where the intent is to bring about a change and right the wrongs of a society and the system of justice that runs it, it will go a long way. Demonstrations against sexual assaults on women in India, Egypt, and other countries must transform into a progressive movement, a well coordinated and organized rebellion that will eventually force lawmakers to pass and enforce strict laws. As Bhagat Singh said, “It takes a loud noise to make the deaf hear.”
