Men rape and abuse women. Other men know about it, remain silent and look the other way. Women have always been seen as a "prize" or "reward" for soldiers. This has been going on forever. Many women are viewed as property and as second-class citizens which allows this to continue. Having rage may be an explanation but it isn't an excuse. Men with this type of rage don't go out looking for a dog to kick; they look for a woman to hurt. Rape is about control and power. Until men change their views of women and rape culture it will be difficult to change this. In the US, most women do not report rapes to the police because they know that they'll be suspected of lying, they can be sued by the rapist for slander, if alcohol and/or drugs are involved they'll be blamed, they will experience shame and guilt. Many police departments have years of untested rape kits. And now, in many states, if rape results in a pregnancy women will be prevented from having an abortion. This is about controlling women.
I empathize with the sentiment here. However, men kicking a dog isn't an ok substitute either. It's abuse of the powerless and vulnerable. They too are viewed as property and somehow ok to abuse. Children too. Abuse of another, whoever they are, is simply not acceptable.
White-supremacist countries — very much like India with its caste system — don't want rape to be taken seriously.
There's nothing accidental about a social hierarchy.
They don't want men growing a spine, and finding the guts to fight POWER; they want men slithering around in the shadows, wallowing in shame, and punching DOWN.
India is a Paradox!! The same men (& women sometimes) who view women as commodities will also worship women goddesses with fervour. Durga is the most worshiped goddess in Kolkatha where this doctor was raped. Education of men & boys needs to start young and in families!!
Fatima does a great job to describe the utterly horrific nature of these crimes. But other countries have raging inequality without the same level of dehumanization of women and I highly doubt reducing economic inequality alone would drastically improve the shocking statistics we see in India. Based off this article, I'm not sure even Fatima believes the argument she is making. The lack of data or evidence supporting her argument is frankly shocking and I came away utterly unconvinced that inequality is the reason why women are abused so often in India.
I wish Fatima used this opportunity to do a thorough analysis of such violence against women in India. She could've discussed the effects of inequality along with the caste system, sex being taboo in India, lack of accountability for these criminals, etc. That would've been a far more interesting and perhaps convincing read.
Horrifying to read, somehow I didn't know all that much about what happened and happens and it is kinda sad that I don't know nearly enough about this topic and India in general as I should. So thank you for covering this!
As I read your powerful and critical reportage I clung desperately to a shred of... possibility for change, based on the actions of the India Medical Association. Alas, there is so much systemic change needed. Thank you for shining a light on a dark subject.
Men rape and abuse women. Other men know about it, remain silent and look the other way. Women have always been seen as a "prize" or "reward" for soldiers. This has been going on forever. Many women are viewed as property and as second-class citizens which allows this to continue. Having rage may be an explanation but it isn't an excuse. Men with this type of rage don't go out looking for a dog to kick; they look for a woman to hurt. Rape is about control and power. Until men change their views of women and rape culture it will be difficult to change this. In the US, most women do not report rapes to the police because they know that they'll be suspected of lying, they can be sued by the rapist for slander, if alcohol and/or drugs are involved they'll be blamed, they will experience shame and guilt. Many police departments have years of untested rape kits. And now, in many states, if rape results in a pregnancy women will be prevented from having an abortion. This is about controlling women.
I empathize with the sentiment here. However, men kicking a dog isn't an ok substitute either. It's abuse of the powerless and vulnerable. They too are viewed as property and somehow ok to abuse. Children too. Abuse of another, whoever they are, is simply not acceptable.
White-supremacist countries — very much like India with its caste system — don't want rape to be taken seriously.
There's nothing accidental about a social hierarchy.
They don't want men growing a spine, and finding the guts to fight POWER; they want men slithering around in the shadows, wallowing in shame, and punching DOWN.
Never thought the phrase "utterly idle" would bring about such feelings of abject horror in myself...
India is a Paradox!! The same men (& women sometimes) who view women as commodities will also worship women goddesses with fervour. Durga is the most worshiped goddess in Kolkatha where this doctor was raped. Education of men & boys needs to start young and in families!!
Fatima does a great job to describe the utterly horrific nature of these crimes. But other countries have raging inequality without the same level of dehumanization of women and I highly doubt reducing economic inequality alone would drastically improve the shocking statistics we see in India. Based off this article, I'm not sure even Fatima believes the argument she is making. The lack of data or evidence supporting her argument is frankly shocking and I came away utterly unconvinced that inequality is the reason why women are abused so often in India.
I wish Fatima used this opportunity to do a thorough analysis of such violence against women in India. She could've discussed the effects of inequality along with the caste system, sex being taboo in India, lack of accountability for these criminals, etc. That would've been a far more interesting and perhaps convincing read.
Such an exceptionally written and informative piece - thank you so much.
Horrifying to read, somehow I didn't know all that much about what happened and happens and it is kinda sad that I don't know nearly enough about this topic and India in general as I should. So thank you for covering this!
People don’t even want to do anything about the rape culture in America
As I read your powerful and critical reportage I clung desperately to a shred of... possibility for change, based on the actions of the India Medical Association. Alas, there is so much systemic change needed. Thank you for shining a light on a dark subject.