Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Women, Violence and Danger


A recent news item in the Reuters (factbox: The world's most dangerous countries for women), is a tumultuous testimony of the onslaught against women that still exists in many parts of the world. It is a lamenting yet noteworthy issue that despite a sociopolitical voyage for gender equality, women’s rueful plight remains a dreary discussion. Some of the countries that rank the highest in this predicament are Afghanistan, Congo, Pakistan, India, and Somalia. The brutality against women in these countries includes illiteracy and economic discrimination, forced marriages including child marriages, sexual violence and female genital mutilation, honor killings, domestic servitude besides human trafficking. The report suggests that 1 in 11 women in Afghanistan die of childbirth, while 57% of pregnant Congolese women are anemic. Also, 87% of women in Afghanistan are illiterate, while a mere 7.5% women hold parliamentary seats in Somalia, the horn of Africa. Moreover, 40 innocent Congolese women are raped everyday, while 95% of Somalian girls and women are put through genital mutilation. Not far beyond in the race, a 1000 Pakistani girls and women face honor killings, while 50 million infant girls are missing on account of infanticide and feticide in the religiously devout India. Many women in these countries experience physical assault and battery, unfortunately as customary to rustic traditions and the predominant culture of male monarchy. The above statistics may appear antediluvian, but it is a fresh perspective on the existing, and ever exacerbating indignation against women.

What may seem even more depressing is the bitter truth that majority of population in these nations is either unaware of such violent and life threatening tribulations, or perhaps is least bothered until the fire engulfs their own turf. Many times, the victims of these crimes are forced to bear abuse repeatedly and are intimated if they urge to take an action against it. Other times, victims’ emotional vulnerability becomes a vantage point to keep them in a state of denial like a sitting duck for the perpetrators. Also, the fact that some of these countries are an ongoing war zone, and lack a central government system, or are partially ruled by the militia, further extinct the possibilities for social change and investment in women empowerment. Moreover, the influence of theocratic law in some of these countries makes economic reforms preposterous. In addition, incessant absolute poverty and high levels of corruption are some other depriving factors for change. For instance, in India, where women’s economic participation and educating the girl child is on the rise, the country’s social systems appear unsuccessful in impeding female feticide. More importantly, social issues like education, women’s rights, and child marriages are rarely significant as far as political manifestation is concerned. Mostly theses issues appear like a small figurine in the electoral campaigns that often turn gray with time. So, if this is the feat of change, then we sure are in for a failure!


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11 comments:

  1. True!! And things don't seem to change even though, the political fronts proclaim they do..Have you noticed that this is not just the case, and there are some seldom incidents happening in other parts too...Women liberation systems are not given their due support and that's why things similar to what you have voiced remain in the dark...more awareness and knowledge among the current youth of each country, not just political expatriates should be escalated!! Nice post, especially because of the fire it emanates that vaporize into the air without any care..

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  2. Barkha,
    As always this is such an important subject and you are the champion of raising awareness on these issues. They are heart-breaking and truly, no woman in any country should rest until these horrific happenings cease.

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  3. Situation are not improving at all in our country despite having shown so much progress in recent times .

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  4. Such a sad story, you have put up the post in a very nice manner.
    Have a wonderful weekend:-)

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  5. Thanks Fiducia for an invigorating comment. Yes, women’s liberation still has a lot to actualize especially in developing countries. Sad, but true that such change would take time. Perhaps the movement needs more people to be vocal. Let’s hope there is light amid darkness. I appreciate your concern for such issues.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  6. Cher,
    As always, your words are reinforcing and mindful. Women’s calmness is her strength and not her vulnerability. All nations and all individuals need to recognize that. Thanks for your support and encouragement.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  7. Thanks Magiceye.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  8. Very true Team G. Thanks for your comment though.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  9. Thanks Arti. You have a wonderful weekend too.
    With Best,
    Barkha Dhar

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  10. Thanks for sharing, I'll tell my friends to come visit your blog.

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