“The
woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to
rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his
side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to
be beloved.” - Mathew Henry
Henry,
A 16th century “man” seems to
have got his facts and interpretations right. Yet, here we are in the 21st
century, the century of technological boom and modernization, fighting for
basic needs and rights for the female race! Apparently, “Evolution” seems to
have lost its way and taken a wrong turn. Here is a sample proof - A recent
research concluded that 1 in 5 young men think it's okay to abuse a women.
About 70% of women (in the whole world) experience physical or sexual abuse at
least once from men in their life time. There are many more such statistics
which would probably run for pages. Is this what modernization is all about? If
the answer is Yes, then the whole concept of modernization is one big scam
trapping women immaterial of their age, creed and caste.
“It is
perhaps more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict."
Major General
(ret.) Patrick Cammaert, former UN Division Commander for Eastern DRC (MONUC)
The entire female population on this planet
would probably agree with Major Patrick. The reason isn't a million dollar
secret. With crimes against women in the rise, we women simply wish god had
given us a choice to choose our own gender.
Why have women become ready made targets? Are we
weak? Is our physique our major disadvantage? I don't think so. When we can
take 57 dels of pain during child birth (45 dels is extreme), carry a minimum
of 1 kg of weight (Yeah! The baby) around
non stop and also do regular work like cooking and cleaning, calling us weak
would be plain stupid and nonsensical. Branding a woman as a weak creature is a poor
excuse to abuse her.
Consider the typical male argument – Women are
weak and fragile. They invite to be raped/abused by dressing provocatively and
going out partying in the night. They shouldn't take up regular jobs for their
job is just to cook, clean and take care of the kids and family. Why do they
need to be educated to simply stay at home?
For argument's sake, let us assume we women agree
with men in the first point – Women are weak and fragile. It's now established
that we are weak and fragile. Then I ask, why do you (Yes! You men!) need to
show your prowess to us? Why do you need to prove your strength over a weakling
like a woman? Go pick on someone your equal! (Go pick on fellow man! At least we'll
be in peace)
Abuse of woman has nothing to do with her physique or
her strength. It is always the male ego which needs to assert itself as
superior.
Then there is this illogical argument of women going
out in the night partying. Incidents of abuse/rapes are reported even in broad
day light. When men can go out partying why not women? It's the attitude and
mindset of this patriarchal society that had laid such prejudiced rules for a woman.
It won't take much time for reversal of roles if all the women unite and take
up such a vow.
The argument of dressing provocatively thereby
inviting to be abused takes the cherry on the cake. It's a rather stupid,
flimsy and slippery excuse. Haven't we seen 5 year old girls being raped? What
did she wear to “invite” men to rape her? If that is the case, women find men
in low hung jeans and tight tees highly provocative. Given a chance many women
would beat up the man for wearing such a “costume”. But has that ever happened? Has a man ever
been beaten up by bunch ladies because he dressed inappropriately? I don't
think so.
Reason: Women are civilized and evolved species. “Male
evolution” somehow lost its way and took a U turn.
Now tackling the most unfair argument of all.
Women should stay home, cook, clean and take care of the family. She doesn't
need to be educated to do that. It is a common belief that both women and men
are born in the same way – from a “mother's” womb. Since when did that change?
I always thought we had the same bones and blood. Apparently, it appears to
have changed somewhere mid way thereby resulting in the assigning of all
“mundane tasks” (i.e. cooking and cleaning) to women. Sounds idiotic right?
That is how the argument of “women should only
cook & clean” sounds to me.
Give a try. Educate women. Let them take up the
roles in your board room and senates, the world will certainly be a better
place to live.
Why are we doing this? Hasn't there been enough
protests and campaigns already?
We @ Readers' Muse firmly believe “A pen is
mightier than a sword”. Yes, there have
been enough campaigns already and we have been a part of quite a number of
those as well. Rome wasn't built in a day. To dream that a month long campaign
would change the mindset and attitude of an entire society is avarice.
We picked this month, December particularly as a
tribute to Ms. Jyothi Singh Pandey (Nirbhaya) who lost her life in December
2012 after a brave battle post the brutal rape she was subjected to.
We only wish this was done long before. For all
we know, she might have been spared of all the agony and lived amongst us
today.
We simply aim to get men to stop and think before
they act, to think before they pass those mean jokes laced with sexual innuendos
at workplace, to think before they “accidentally” fall over women in public
transport!
We aim to educate women that the concept of “quintessential man” is a myth and they aren't really alone
in their fight. We would be more than happy even if a single lady is inspired
by our campaign and stands up for herself.
What is in store?
We are featuring works of fiction and non-fiction
centered on women. We also have various writers expressing their thoughts on
Crime against women.
What can you do?
Please spread the word and support us by sharing
our posts, commenting and actively debating
@ FACEBOOK
@ Twitter with the tag #Womanifesto
@ Google+ with tag #Womanifesto
Also do sport the “Womanifesto” badge in your
twitter & facebook accounts by clicking here.
Most importantly. READ, INSPIRE and EDUCATE.
Educate your sons, husband, brothers & male
friends to let WOMEN live LIFE and not just EXIST.
L – Loved not Lusted
I – Improved living
F – Freedom
E – Equality
Teach your daughters to stand up for herself and
not cower down!
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