Thursday, March 22, 2012

What makes a woman vulnerable?

Barely a week ago, two women in their twenties were raped in Gurgaon within 48 hours- one of them used to work as a domestic help and the other one as a facilitator who would escort men into couples-only clubs for money. Sadly but surely, their reputation precedes them and their tragedy. Many comments were made regarding their job, their dress and, of course, their character!

This first incident occured outside a place which is barely one kilometer from where I have stayed for three months- the woman was abducted from outside Sahara mall. Initially, I felt relieved that it wasn't me, that I wasn't out at three o' clock at night, that I didn't indulge in "risky" behavior. But I have been out till midnight, if not till three. Do three hours make such a big difference? What exactly is it that makes a woman vulnerable? What is it that makes a woman vulnerable at three and not at twelve? Is there really such a thing as vulnerability?

I noticed a few inconsistencies in the whole "vulnerability" argument:

1. Well, to put the record straight, crime data clearly indicate that, in an overwhelming majority of cases (above 90%), the perpetrators were known to the victims; in 50% of these cases they were neighbours! In lesser (10%) cases these were close family members or parents. This trend is reflected in any crime data report. 

2. Many women, especially younger women and teenagers, have been raped within the four walls of their home. So, does staying at home comprise "risky" behavior? (No, the question is not rhetorical, we really need an answer).

3. Many children, including boys are raped (the euphemism generally used here is "sexually exploited"). Are moralists saying that they were wearing clothes that would provoke the rapists? Highly improbable!

4. In any given conflict- be it a riot or an occupation, rape has been used as a systematic tool of oppression and "punishment"- a collective punishment inflicted upon an entire family/community/society. These include  small girls, pregnant women and old women whom one wouldn't normally describe as overly attractive or provocatively dressed- unless they really are! Most of these women are raped inside their homes. Are they vulnerable? Probably, yes. Do they contribute to their vulnerability? No!

Notice how all the verbal abuses are aimed at degrading women: sister-lover, for example? This clearly reflects our Universal notions of "punishing" (verbally or otherwise, wrongdoers).

5.What about people who indulge in beastiality? Do their animals wear skimpy clothes? No further discussion on this.

Actually, the fault lies with our perception of women as a commodity, as something that can be bestowed upon men and something that can be snatched away from them. Our collective bigotry is reflected in that we never invoke the vulnerability argument when the rich are robbed of their money, when someone is murdered, when terrorists kill innocent people or when people fall sick. We talk about vulnerability and risky behavior only when a woman is raped.

I finally got my answer to the question: What makes a woman vulnerable? Well, the very fact of being female in characteristsic makes anything vulnerable- from children to old women to certain animals.

Moving on the virtual world, I have been threatened with "rape" on Twitter by Modi-loving-trolls for my views. Not murder, not abduction, not arrests, but rape! Many "men" feel that it is their right to rape and that it is an effective way to punish women.

The anti-rape laws are laughable. Rape as a practice flourishes only because the perpetrators feel that they can get away with it- quite often, they do. It is time that we demand of our respective local legislators that they introduce and vote for much stronger anti-rape laws. It is time to remind them that they are sons of a mother too. Are we mature enough to speak up for our mothers, daughters, sisters and wives whom we claim to love so much?


11 comments:

  1. Very true and sad.....you are absolutely right....raping someone is as equivalent or in my eyes bigger crime than murder ....there is an immediate need for the anti-rape laws

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  2. Indeed a thought provoking argument. Being a woman is a really tough battle anywhere. Those who think they can use 'rape' as a punishment tool have a long way to go in terms of civilised behaviour. This piece has really made me feel sad.

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  3. Being a Women is Vulnerable...! Men think that a Woman is nothing but a source of pleasure for them.. they don't even remember that they are born from one and have fed on one as well.... And about the so called Laws of the Govt... Well they have been there since ages and have never been touched or refreshed...
    I watched a Movie once "Its a boy girl thing".. in it the Boy and Girl's soul get exchanged... i really wish that something like that was real and these men should experience the pain a women goes through and how much she has to endure in a single day of her life....
    If i was to be given the opportunity of changing the Law of rape... i would Write about Taking away the So Called Manhood from them forever!

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  4. WAT I SUGGEST IS PASS A LAW OR AN AMENDMENT WHATEVER U CALL IT AND LET IT BE HIGHLIGHTED THAT A MALE'S PENNIS(NOT USING ******) WILL BE CUT OFF IF HE IS INDULGED IN SUCH AN ACT....BEING TOO HARSH BUT THIS WILL ACTUALLY SCARE PEOPLE EVEN IN THEIR DREAMS TO THINK ABOUT RAPING A GIRL .....AND WAT MAKES A PERSON RAPE A GIRL AT NITE IS THAT NO ONE IS WATCHING AND Y WILL ANYONE BE AFRAID IF THERE IS NO ONE AROUND

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  5. Brutally deconstructs the many myths and hypocrisy that have sustained somehow to ludicrously try and shift at least part of the blame for rape on to the victim. I would want to add only a small point: the impunity of the perpetrators has been possible not because of weaker laws but because of lax enforcement. The standards of investigation and prosecution are abysmal. That is what makes rapists escape unpunished. Unless this malaise is not rooted out, mere enactment of stronger punishment will fail to have any impact.

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  6. Very true..those who r blaming a woman's vulnerability for such acts r themselves admitting that our society is breeding animals&not human beings,one which is always ready to get aroused & act like beasts..we should realize that an open door is not a reason for d theft rather it is just a mere chance,only for the thieves not for the honest man.honest one can't see the unlocked door as an opportunity for theft..we really need to change our approach in dealing with problems such as this.The reason for increase in crimes of rape is not a women's vulnerability rather its increase in frustration&wilderness& a severe lack of sensitivity in d people of our society that is responsible for it.Not only a strong set of anti rape laws but something in addition to these is also needed to add sensitiveness in our society&make it sensible & humane..

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  7. Ms. shora...do let me know how many such crimes "rape" take place in kingdom of saudi arabia....i hope to get d details from u...n hope uay realise where d mistake lies....

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    Replies
    1. The low crime rate in Saudi Arabia is due to stricter laws, which is what I advocate for India. Since you brought it up, you must be aware of the case where two Saudi policemen, supposed to be custodians of law, raped a woman. Also, do you know that about a quarter of Saudi children have faced sexual abuse at home?

      The point is, no law sanctions rape; it's the feeling that one can get away with it that encourages rapists to commit this heinous crimes.

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  8. Ok! Seems you have made a wide research regarding my comment. Such crimes do happen here in the Kingdom also, but what i meant was that, the crime rate is low.

    Your conclusion, is right to some extent , but there are other reasons too, which must be considered, Only strict laws in the constitution won't help.

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  9. and the reason for low crime rate in Saudi is not strict laws only, but woman here do know way to safe guard there lives from such incidents.Plus, I'm not aware about the two cases you have mentioned, but if we start counting such incidents i think it will be a meager amount compared to incidents happening all around the world.
    Further, i would say, we should not always put our finger on the government and Constitution, when we need to bring change in ourselves first.

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  10. At Places like Delhi, holding in MILLIONS of people we can expect a few maniacs trying mischievous activities, what we need to do is to be conscious, play safe and take steps for stricter laws...........

    MOREOVER.. MANY MANY RETURNS OF THE DAY.."HAPPY BIRTHDAY".. STAY BLESSED..take care

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