Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Many crimes are being committed against women by the men. Do most of them happen because men just can't take a no for an answer?
Many crimes are being committed against women by stalking men. Do most of them happen simply because men can’t take a no for an answer?
A tragic incident was in the news few days ago. A serving army officer was arrested as a prime accused in the gruesome murder of his colleague’s wife. Apparently he was furious after she refused to marry him. He slit her throat before pushing her out and running his car over her; killing her on the spot. He could not take a ‘no’ for an answer.
A pregnant woman was shot dead at a wedding function in Punjab, when she allegedly refused to dance with the groom’s friend. The accused could not fathom the insult of being rejected by a ‘mere orchestra girl’. He could not take ‘no’ for an answer. Police arrested the person who owned the gun and began looking for the actual perpetrator of the crime. The Haryana government sprung into action and banned the use of firearms in wedding ceremonies.
A few months before the above incident, a 34-year-old married woman was stabbed to death on the crowded first-floor corridor of MG Metro station in Gurgaon. The accused was an auto driver who had unsuccessfully tried to court her for several months. He could not take ‘no’ for an answer. Police arrested the accused and promised more security and CCTV cameras at metro stations.
Every year many women’s lives are spoiled when spurned lovers decide to throw acid on them with an intention to disfigure, maim, torture or even kill women who do not return their advances. They can’t take a ‘no’ for an answer. Governments promise to make strict laws and put restriction on acid sales. All the actions taken by the government, authorities are commendable but can we ignore the underlying cause for all such incidents? It’s all because men just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
Not all those who perpetrate such heinous crimes are sociopaths with criminal intents. They are ordinary people doing everyday jobs with normal families. But they do suffer from a deep seeded societal chauvinism with an inherent disregard for a woman’s opinion. Men especially from patriarchal societies grow up watching their submissive mothers serving all the other men in the family. Young girls who voice their opinions are considered to be spoiled and taught to be meek.
Hot food is always served first to the men while women folk eat afterwards. It is such little gestures which lodge a thought in their minds that they are somehow superior to the opposite gender and entitled to do whatever they desire with them. A woman does not deserve to have an opinion and should not have the audacity to say no.
This generation idolize Bollywood heroes who unabashedly sang “kab tak roothegi, cheekhegi, chillayegi; ek din haseena maan jayegi” (Crude translation – How long will a pretty girl scream, shout and be angry; one day she will agree)
A very welcoming respite was movie ‘Pink’ which highlighted the concept of consent. Things will surely improve when educated families give good ethos to both their boys and girls instilling mutual respect. It is also imperative to establish an atmosphere of equal respect for women and girls of the family and not giving in to every unnecessary whim and demand of children.
The act remains that the root cause for such incidents is not just the easy availability of weapons or acid but the cultural and social problems of our society. Having a son is an equal, if not greater, responsibility than having a daughter.
It is high time we teach our boys to take ‘no’ for an answer.
Published first here.
Dentist, writer, corporate healthcare professional. In my earlier avatar, I taught budding dentists and published a book on my subject expertise. A ‘sabbatical’ from work to take care of my super-energetic baby girl reignited read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
It is shameful that in today's world too, women are abused and even killed for giving birth to a girl, and the infant's life is also of no value.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
Please enter your email address