Tannima Makin
Tannima is currently doing B.tech in electronics but is a writer at heart. A big shopaholic, she is a strong supporter of Women Empowerment and spends most of her spare time at a local orphanage named PALNA.
According to me, there are generally two reactions to a molestation/rape case–either people sympathize with the victim or they criticize her and hold her responsible for whatever happened to her. But seldom do people show aggression towards the molester or rapist, or think about the actual cause that could have led to this crime.
The sole purpose of my writing this article is to find the roots of this kind of behaviour in the upbringing of the attacker. Probably that person was never taught to respect women. Because if he was, then I am sure he would have thought thousand times before committing such a horrendous act.
A rapist or molester, not only causes mental trauma to his victim, but also makes others question the upbringing and teachings of his family. One is forced to believe that he has absolutely no respect for the women, in general, and not even for the women in his life.
In our country, girls are taught how to behave, how to conduct themselves in public, to talk in a soft manner, to dress appropriately, to work selflessly for other members of the family and so on, from a very young age. She is taught to sacrifice her dreams and wishes for her husband. The list is endless.
On the contrary, a boy is rarely taught not to look at a girl with a bad intention and not to consider her as “a piece of meat”. Boys are rarely taught to treat women with respect.
When, in reality, it is this woman-kind which bears us in her womb, brings us into this world, feeds us and raises us with love and care.
When girls are taught so many things at a tender age then why boys can’t be taught to respect women? Why it is that a girl since birth has to quash her freedom? A girl has every right to live her life according to her wishes and desires, and embellish it as per her will.
The viewpoint of our society should change. A girl should be taught not to be weak and submissive but strong. Along with good education, it is desirable that she be taught self-defence. A boy, on the other hand, should be taught to be respectful towards women and treat her in a dignified manner.
In the end, I would just like to quote Madame Marie du Deffand, “Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses.”
Tannima Makin
Image Source [http://buzzom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/922693_f520.jpg]
