It is worrisome that tens of thousands of people turned out at a rally held by the fundamentalist organisation, ‘Hefazat-e-Islam’, in Dhaka, to protest against granting equal rights to women. It was claimed that the concept is against the Shariat. That this should happen in a country that has even had women prime ministers indicates the inherent misogyny that continues to exist not only in that country, but also in other parts of the sub-continent. Liberal and modern values lose their hold when even moderately less secular forces rise to political power. And, in the case of a nation like Pakistan, for the most powerful person – the Chief of Army Staff – to come out openly in support of a fundamentalist value system, shows how regressive thinking is advancing under the guise of religion.
While India is fully committed to women’s equality as a constitutional value, there is pushback in numerous ways. As women enter uncharted waters, many have to face challenges they are not prepared for or even understand. With the enormous diversity of local cultures and traditional practices, the social environment can change quite drastically. While, on the one hand, there is radical feminism largely imported from foreign lands, there are on, the other hand, the practical difficulties women face in everyday life – having as they do to play many roles.
As a result, be it the Judiciary, Governments, Administrations and Police, there is a lack of preparedness in ensuring a safe and positive environment on many fronts. The threat of sexual assault has only expanded, sparing no one, even if it be a minor or an elderly woman. Domestic violence to the extent of the most gruesome murders has become commonplace. The system and society are struggling to find solutions.
There is, of course, the need to raise awareness among all sections of society on tackling this problem. In an age when the means of mass communication have proliferated and become almost universal, the content being shared is mostly unhealthy, even depraved. The focus, therefore, should be on sending the right message, be it through songs, dramas, personal posts, etc. Schools and colleges have to place greater emphasis on developing a healthy and ethically sound culture. Young people should be made to understand the logic and necessity of women being provided equal opportunity in every way for a better world. An inherent respect for women has to be inculcated among all, rooted in local cultures and traditions. It must be admitted that there is still a long way to go in this regard, but that only makes it even more important to begin now.
