We are in 2019. And yet, in many of the well off and so-called educated families, I have come across shocking cases of dowry, inequality, the deep desire of having a male child, and even young girls being married off against their wishes. Many of these girls could have easily pursued education and could have been leading a far better life than they are now. I still see girls facing a severe backlash from their families if they date anyone or are willing to marry someone of their own choice.
Moreover nowadays something even more strange is happening. Many women voters, who had been voting most of their adult lives found their names missing in the voter list. I wouldn’t appreciate if someday my granddaughter writes something similar. Because it’s 2019 and by now we should have been far better from what we were half a century back.
99% of rape cases go unreported. Why are these 99% not reported? What stops them? As a girl, I can say this with a conviction that the fear of being judged and curbing of the already limited freedom is something which stops most of the women from reporting the incident. When the case should be absolutely otherwise, wherein instead of the victim, the perpetrator should be shamed and judged. However, we cannot just do nothing and keep cribbing. We have to raise our voices and bring in a change. But, how?
Girls must claim back their spaces. The more we hide, the more we will empower such misogynistic elements of our society. Parents should ensure that their daughters share a certain level of comfort with them so much so that in the back of their minds they always believe that no matter what their parents are always there for them.
Stand with your daughters without caring about the society, make them bold and independent. We need to stop caring about the opinions of judgemental uncles and aunties.
And lastly, educate your boys, teach them to respect women or any human being for that matter. Because God, whether Shiv, Allah, Krishna, Jesus, Guru Nanak, would never send a rapist or an eve teaser in the divine wombs of women. No one is born a criminal, society turns them into one. Next time when you remind your daughter to be back on time, remind your son why you said so.