By Rebecca George
She sat there quietly with the pallu over her head, while there were high-level discussions going on about her and the plight of many others who have been survivors of bonded labour. The meeting was officially done. Over chai, the member of Parliament happened to ask her her name. “Lata” she said, and went on to narrate her background.
All our apprehensions about how comfortable Lata would be to speak up, were brushed aside the moment we witnessed how she singlehandedly held up a conversation with the policymaker, responding to every question with utmost ease. It was obvious she was no prop, rather a bold young woman who let her guard down and disclosed facts properly enough to inspire the MP to raise an intervention in Parliament on the nature of violence against the poor.
I once heard a talk by a lady affected by tuberculosis who had become a global voice on the issue. She said that whenever anyone questions the severity of the issue, she would ask them whether they’d know how it was like to pump oneself with a number of pills every day. There is little room for pushback thereafter.
It is said that engaging the patient in decisions about treatment shows respect, promotes autonomy, and improves the likelihood of adherence. Be it a patient or an underprivileged person, there is much gain, in them getting an equal seat at the table.
“You don’t need to be a voice for the voiceless. Just pass the mic.” This quote I came across really got me thinking about my role. I do not say that we, who want to bring about a change on an issue that we’re not victims of, have to distance ourselves completely from the issue. In fact, it is admirable that we choose to take up a cause with utmost passion and sincerity. Yet in constantly striving to speak on behalf of those affected, we could be in danger of curbing their ability to speak for themselves. There has to come a time where we step aside and play the support role rather than the lead role. Who knows, they may not actually need as much protection or hand-holding as we presume they would. I could almost hear Lata say, “I’ve been rescued once, there’s no need to rescue me over and over again.”
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