Despite being social animals, one thing is certain – Humans are animals. While an animal preys, kills and then savors on its prey to satisfy his hunger, Men have stooped to new low by preying upon biologically weaker section of Human species, generally called Women.
I will try to examine the theory through Social, Political (including Judicial), Economic and Religious framework.
Undoubtedly, Women have been subjugated in Modern Indian society. This subjugation has primarily been to control Feminine sexuality. As the succession laws of Kinship was established in society, the male dominance was inevitable due to a culturally flawed notion that Men bring honor and women bring shame. The notion strengthened with social progress on institutions of Marriage and Family where a women was provided with a status inferior to husband (and at times to son as well – Please exclude the case of Thravad Nairs) and therefore a role of a Home-maker. Women who tried to outlaw the law were ‘punished’, banished, sidelined and even subjected to physical and sexual miseries.
The society, though, began to change as new Indian thinkers took to the helm and the Political backing during British Raj, to some extent, helped curb some major evils against Women subjugation. The concept of westernization was completely ‘Harijan’ concept which lacked the ‘Indian Style and Customs’. The reformers again took the charge after having experienced liberty that western society provided to its members irrespective of gender (although the major force behind westernization of society was capitalism as Capitalism promotes Talent). Western Sciences and Education tried to curb the problem.
Of course, the rise in the number of incidents of violence against women members are on a rise, but what we fail to learn is that the society is in a mode of transition and a climax shall be reached only when things settle out (I too denounce any act of violence against women). Time seems to be the only driving solution for this.
On the Political front, the Legislature fails to make strict laws and then the Executive fails to implement the laws. In the whole tussle, the common man blames Judiciary for all his miseries arguing number of pending cases, pending vacancies in courts and a slow investigation.
The problem with Judiciary is Judicial and the Executive and Legislature just can’t do anything. The Chief Justice of India has the liberty of dividing and opening Branches of Supreme courts in different parts of the country (The initiative shall have to come via CJI – Art. 134). The collegium system has failed as more than 25% of the judicial seats lie vacant.
What the govt. may do is strengthening of the Policing mechanism and Investigative setup. Unfortunately, this shall have to be initiated by the State governments as Law and Order is a List 2 item as per 7th schedule.
On the economic front, Women subjugation begins with her not being part of any economic resource of the family. Sociologists argue that if women members have a say in economic resources of the family, the subjugation is lowered. Many initiatives that would allow for Tax incentives for properties, if brought in the name of women, are missing.
Religion has been a shield against acts done against women. Some communities force women to wear veil, some force them to wear sari. From, the way a woman talks to the way women breathe are all controlled by the Religious tenets. Possibly, this was something that worked in the ancient society but liberation from the shackles is a much needed affair in the modern society.
While everybody among us talk about women empowerment. We provide education, healthcare, Employment to women but the same society fails to learn the secondary aspects of women empowerment as well. Even if jobs are there, sexual harassment exists. Even if Education is there, Toilets in schools are missing. Even if healthcare is available, sensitization and approachable PHCs are missing. Perhaps this is the reason why even if WOMEN EMPOWERMENT is there, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT is missing.
But what do we do. We prefer to make it an issue. After an incident of rape, we would like to condemn the society or take to the streets to give a voice to our anger. What is missing is that the same people fail to learn that incidents of Violence against women take place in the same society they live in and the culprits are from the same society they live in. The society fails to realize that it itself is the culprit. Denying a truth does not make a truth a lie.
The social stigma is so deeply rooted within our society what a woman in a live-in relationship is considered a ‘whore’; a woman with male friends is described having a ‘bad character’ and a woman who works late or possibly during night shifts is a ‘prostitute’.
Although, this is discussed well within the walls of a house, the impact it creates within the minds of me and you reflects on the streets.
We are the solutions to every problem on earth. What our parents said just might not be true and even if they were, they seem to be irrelevant in our times. Further, the problem cannot be solved by men initiating the issue and women taking the secondary positions. It, instead, should be women who must take the charge.
The article began with Humans and Jungles. This reminds me of Darwinism. Women have limited options – either they can remain dictated by the whims and fancies of men or must fight against what they must have (as they say either Prey and be a Prey). That’s the law of the Jungle.
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