A few days ago, a veterinary doctor was gang-raped, smothered and her body burned in Hyderabad. The last communication was with her sister, who she had called on finding out that her scooter had a flat tire. Everyone is outraged about this incident as it reminds us of Nirbhaya, who was gang-raped almost seven years ago in Delhi.
These incidents amongst many are a reason for the annual International campaign: 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-Based Violence. Everyday millions of girls and women are subject to all kinds of violence making it a global pandemic. It is ironic that this year’s focus of the campaign is “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”
Teachers and parents must be able to talk to children about rights, consent, respect for each other and build confidence to report violations and fight back.
The UN says violence against women and girls is one of the “most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today.” Approximately 87,000 women and girls were murdered around the world in 2017, most often by someone close to them. It remains largely unreported because of issues including impunity and stigma. In India, even the highly under-reported numbers estimate that every 15 minutes a woman is raped. So it is no wonder that last year the Thomson Reuters perception survey listed India as the most dangerous country in the world for women.
Unlike other nations where people are out protesting on streets objecting to violence, in India we are operating as though it is business as usual. The Home Minister of Telangana state actually put the blame on the victim stating she should have called the emergency number 100 instead of her sister. Twitter is abuzz with people demanding for the death penalty for the rapists and stricter laws on sexual violence. As a country we have the death penalty and strict laws, but it does not seem to deter the perpetrators.