Echoes of Pain: Understanding the Enduring Impact of Violence Against Women

Echoes of Pain: Understanding the Enduring Impact of Violence Against Women

In a nation of 1.4 billion souls, another case of unspeakable horror emerges, a reminder that violence against women is not just a statistic, but a pervasive plague on our humanity. As we confront the chilling reality of yet another rape case in Kolkata, we are forced to ask ourselves: How have we allowed this to persist? https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/parents-gave-names-of-interns-doctors-to-cbi-in-kolkata-horror-sources-6353432#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The brutal attack on a young woman in 2012 shocked the world, igniting global outrage and calls for change. Yet, here we stand today, with violence against women showing no signs of abating. According to the 2021 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, 31,677 rape cases were registered in India alone, a grim increase from the 25,000 cases in 2012. The global picture is equally bleak.

Table: Top 10 Countries by Registered Cases of Violence Against Women

India tops the list, well it is also the country with the highest population in world, even US is on 9^th position which is hard to imagine. US is one of the top countries with myriad resources, but this question is not specific to a country or place, this is a global crisis and unfortunately so far none of the efforts put in this direction have had any real impact on this. Now let's compare this to another data point below.

Table: Global Polio Cases from 1950 to 2024

Polio was a global crisis back in 1950 with over half a million cases but in 2024, case load is less than 100. I understand violence against women and Polio are totally different scenarios but what I am trying to emphasize is that with the right efforts, focused direction, given resources (wrt to human/Financial) and global collaboration, even global crisis can be mitigated if not eradicated completely.

Are we all the problem?

My dad told me once that if you are not the part of the solution, you are the PROBLEM. I do a lot of research while I am writing the articles or post and the amount of data I could gather and read on this topic was phenomenal, it is hard to believe that most of us are not aware of what is going around us, or at least well aware enough to take any actions on it!

My son recently was listening to a song,Carnival by Kanye West, the song title intrigued me and I was shocked to listen-

She'll ride the dixx like a carnival

I done fuxxed her in the Rolls

I done pulled up in the Ghost/p>

And my kids love this song, they listen to it like hundreds of times, this is just one example, there are many, look at the list below, this is just from one singer,

Table: Kanye West Songs Criticized for Objectifying Women

My curiosity led me to another interesting data point, this is the list of singers both in US and in India, who have great hits with objectifying women in their songs and video and they are super popular, like 900 million views!

So, its not the people who are writing these songs or singing them but us, who are listening them and providing them the feedback, that says yes, your work is great! keep it up! My mind is still stuck on 900 million views! I could not get 10 view or comments on my post and when I see 900 million views on this sort of content, I am Flabbergasted. Issues persist with Violence Against Women and it's a Global Pandemic! And it should be treated like one to address with priority.

Violence against women is a deeply entrenched and widespread issue that persists across various cultures and societies. I think there are five key reasons why it remains so common and prevalent:

1. Gender Inequality and Patriarchal Norms

Root Cause: Societies with strong patriarchal values often see women as subordinate to men. This inequality manifests in various forms, from limited access to education and employment opportunities for women to normalized violence against them. (if you ever get a chance read - I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban), you will be able to resonate with intense feeling of human emotions and suffering that is caused by few.
Cultural Reinforcement: Traditional gender roles and cultural practices often reinforce the idea that men have control over women, including their bodies, decisions, and freedoms. This can lead to the justification or trivialization of violence against women.

2. Lack of Legal Protections and Enforcement

Weak Legal Frameworks: In many countries, laws protecting women from violence are either non-existent, inadequately enforced, or biased against women. This legal impunity emboldens perpetrators and leaves women vulnerable.

Inadequate Response: Even where laws exist, the response from law enforcement and judicial systems can be inadequate, discouraging women from reporting violence and seeking justice. (Try the origin of phrase -Rule of Thumb, the phrase originated from English common law and reflects a law that allowed a husband to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.)

3. Socio-Economic Factors

Economic Dependency: Women who are economically dependent on their partners or families are often more vulnerable to violence. Financial control can be a tool of abuse, and lack of economic independence can trap women in abusive situations.
Poverty and Marginalization: Poverty exacerbates the risks of violence, as marginalized women may have less access to support services, education, and employment, further perpetuating the cycle of violence.

4. Cultural and Religious Beliefs

Cultural Taboos: In some cultures, discussing or acknowledging violence against women is taboo, leading to underreporting and normalization of such behavior.
Misinterpretation of Religious Texts: Certain interpretations of religious texts can be used to justify violence against women or to enforce rigid gender roles that leave women vulnerable to abuse.

Few examples in this context-

Islamic Texts and Misinterpretation:

Misinterpretation: Certain interpretations of the Qur'an, particularly Surah An-Nisa (4:34), have been used by some to justify the beating of wives by their husbands. The verse is often cited to argue that men have authority over women and can discipline them, including through physical means.

Context: Scholars argue that this interpretation is a misreading of the text, which actually emphasizes the importance of treating wives with kindness and fairness. Many Islamic scholars stress that the Prophet Muhammad condemned violence against women, and any form of abuse is against Islamic teachings.

Impact: This misinterpretation has been used in some societies to normalize domestic violence, leaving women vulnerable to abuse.

Christian Texts and Gender Roles:

Misinterpretation: In Christianity, some interpretations of the Bible, such as Ephesians 5:22-24, where it states, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord," have been used to justify patriarchal control over women, suggesting that women should be submissive to men.

Context: These verses are often cited out of context to enforce rigid gender roles that can lead to emotional or physical abuse. The broader Christian teachings emphasize mutual respect and love in relationships, rather than domination.

Impact: Such interpretations have been used to justify controlling behavior in relationships, leaving women with little autonomy and increasing their vulnerability to abuse.

Hindu Texts and Dowry System:

Misinterpretation: In Hinduism, certain interpretations of scriptures have been used to justify the dowry system, where the bride's family is expected to give gifts or money to the groom's family. While not directly advocating violence, this practice has led to widespread violence against women, including dowry-related deaths and abuse.

Context: The original texts are often distorted or taken out of context to perpetuate this practice. Many modern Hindu scholars and leaders advocate against the dowry system, emphasizing that it is not supported by true religious teachings.

Impact: The dowry system has led to numerous cases of domestic violence, abuse, and even deaths of women who are unable to meet the dowry demands. There were 67,860 dowry-related deaths in India over this 10-year period!

These examples illustrate how the misinterpretation of religious texts can lead to harmful practices and justify violence against women. It's important to note that these interpretations are often culturally rather than religiously driven and that many religious leaders and scholars actively work to correct these misunderstandings.

5. Normalization and Social Acceptance

Media and Socialization: Violence against women is often depicted in media as normal or even glamorous, contributing to its social acceptance. Children growing up in environments where violence is normalized are more likely to accept and perpetrate it.
Stigma and Victim Blaming: Women who experience violence are often blamed for their situation, which discourages them from speaking out or seeking help. This stigma perpetuates the cycle of silence and acceptance.

Now, let us look at a different dataset-

Table: Social Media Followers and Public Sentiment (2024)

Two of the most controversial leaders for prominent countries have more that 88 million followers, Boy! They are super popular, my mom once told me, doing things Right is always a difficult path to choose, with fast spaced world, everyone wants a Quick route to success. The most common way to gain popularity today seems to be engaging in provoking controversy, telling & spreading lies, cheating and instigating fear! Building trust, changing culture, improving mindset, feeling vulnerable, discussing openly and honestly all this is difficult, time-consuming path. It feels like only few have time and courage to choose that path today. Wouldn't it be easier if there was vaccine for treating women right and people could be just vaccinated, but that is not the case, it is more like an Evolution, a journey for all of us to evolve from an Ape to being a human! But at times I have seriously pondered specially when such horrific news is reported, being a Human how can we treat anyone like this? But its disheartening that all of this is True and more horrific that, its Global in nature, no place or country immune from it!

1. Nirbhaya Case (India, 2012)

2. Steubenville High School Rape Case (US, 2012)

CNN: Steubenville rape case: 2 teens found guilty
The New York Times: Texts, Blogs and Social Media Are Tools in Ohio Rape Case

3. Stanford Rape Case (US, 2015)

NPR: Stanford Rape Case: Victim's Letter Sparks Debate Over Sexual Assault Sentencing
The Guardian: Brock Turner: outrage after judge sentences Stanford student to six months in jail for sexual assault

4. Kathua Rape Case (India, 2018)

Al Jazeera: Outrage over rape and murder of 8-year-old girl in India's Kathua
BBC News: Kathua rape case: Death penalty for child rape approved in India

5. Delhi Gang Rape of Danish Woman (India, 2014)

Now, let's looks at few of the comments made by prominent leaders in countries like US and India, in different timeframes-

Indian Politicians:

Mulayam Singh Yadav (Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh)

Statement: "Boys will be boys, they make mistakes."
Context: Made in 2014, this statement was in response to the death penalty given to men convicted of gang rape in India, suggesting that rape should be viewed leniently.

Abu Azmi (Samajwadi Party Leader)

Statement: "If a woman is caught in an affair or goes out with a man, she should be hanged. Both the woman and the man should be hanged."
Context: Said in 2014 in response to a gang rape case, Abu Azmi's comment was widely condemned for its extreme stance and victim-blaming.

Babulal Gaur (Former Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh)

Statement: "Rape is sometimes right, sometimes wrong."
Context: This remark made in 2013 was criticized for trivializing the crime of rape.

Tapas Pal (Trinamool Congress MP)

Statement: "If CPI(M) tries to kill and intimidate our workers... I will not spare them. I will let loose my boys in their homes and have them raped."
Context: Made in 2014, this statement was widely condemned for promoting violence against women as a political tool.

Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of West Bengal)

Statement: "Rapes happen because men and women interact too freely."
Context: This statement in 2012 was seen as a form of victim-blaming, implying that social behavior leads to rape.

American Politicians:

Donald Trump (Former President of the United States)

Statement: "Grab them by the p****."
Context: This infamous comment from 2005, revealed during the 2016 presidential campaign, was widely condemned as an admission of sexual assault and an example of locker room talk that demeans women.

Todd Akin (Former Missouri Congressman)

Statement: "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
Context: Made in 2012, this comment was criticized for being scientifically inaccurate and for downplaying the seriousness of rape.

Rick Santorum (Former Senator of Pennsylvania)

Statement: "Rape victims should make the best of a bad situation."
Context: Santorum's comment during his 2012 presidential campaign was seen as dismissive of the trauma experienced by rape victims.

Clayton Williams (Texas Politician)

Statement: "Rape is kind of like the weather. If it's inevitable, relax and enjoy it."
Context: This statement made during the 1990 Texas gubernatorial race was condemned for trivializing rape.

These statements reflect deep-rooted issues in how some politicians perceive and address violence against women. Such comments have sparked widespread outrage, leading to calls for greater accountability and sensitivity in public discourse. These examples highlight the ongoing challenge of combating misogyny and promoting gender equality in politics. I stand firm in my belief that violence against women, a scourge that has plagued our societies for far too long, can indeed be mitigated. But let's be clear: this isn't just about passing a few laws or launching a campaign. It demands a seismic shift in our cultural fabric and collective mindset. This change must rise from the grassroots and extend to the very pinnacles of power, ensuring that the leaders we elevate in our political and social spheres are those who genuinely understand and champion the cause of humanity.

But here is the hard truth: this will not be easy. It won't happen overnight. And it certainly won't be achieved by just a handful of voices crying out in the wilderness. We need a groundswell of awareness, a collective awakening that builds a framework strong enough to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence against women. And yes, it is possible if, and only if, we are willing to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie within us all.

There is an old adage that resonates deeply in this context: Unless you walk a mile in someone else's shoes, you cannot relate to their pain. Without empathy, we all are "animals", driven by our base instincts. Or worse, we become indifferent, a state that allows atrocities to occur while we turn a blind eye. It feels as though we are becoming numb to the pain and suffering that surround us, as if we have built up a resistance to the very issues that should be galvanizing us into action. Look around you: Gaza is burning. Ukraine is ravaged by war. Gun violence and opioid deaths in the United States claim more lives each day. These are not isolated tragedies; they are the daily realities of a world that has lost its way. The casualties mount, but where is the outrage? Where is the leadership that should be rallying us to action?

This is an astonishing failure, not just of global leadership, but of our very humanity. We, the people, have disengaged, allowing apathy to seep into our bones. We read the headlines, we shake our heads, and then we move on with our lives. But the world doesn't move on. The pain lingers, the bloodshed continues, and the victims remain forgotten.

My wife once shared a truth that has haunted me ever since: Unless your own loved one has faced such a tragedy, only a few can truly relate and work on the cause to prevent it. And isnn't that the tragic irony? We wait until the darkness touches our own lives before we open our eyes to the suffering of others. But must we wait? Must we stand by and do nothing until it's our turn to grieve?

No more. It's time to reclaim our empathy, to awaken from this collective slumber, and to demand the kind of leadership that doesn't just talk about change, but embodies it. It's time for us, as a global community, to rise and fight not just for ourselves, but for every woman, every child, every human being who has ever faced the brutality of a world gone crazy.

The question is not whether we can make a difference, but whether we will. The time for complacency is over. The time for action is now.

Table: Number of Gun Violence Deaths in the U.S. (2013-2022)

Table: Number of Opioid-Related Deaths in the U.S. (2013-2022)

It took me couple of days to write this article and by the time I was done, one message popped up on my social media that sank my heart.

1. Punjab - Punjab Man Elopes With Girlfriend, Her Family Gangrapes His Sister To Take Revenge
https://www.timesnownews.com/crime/punjab-man-elopes-with-girlfriend-her-family-gangrapes-his-sister-to-take-revenge-article-112456959

2. Uttarakhand- Uttarakhand Nurse On Way To Home From Hospital Raped And Murdered
https://www.news18.com/india/uttarakhand-nurse-on-way-to-home-from-hospital-raped-and-murdered-accused-arrested-9016642.html

3. Tamil Nadu- Woman, 22, gang-raped by friend, 3 others in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/tamil-nadu-thanjavur-gang-rape-woman-arrested-2582142-2024-08-14

4. Odisha- Doctor arrested for raping 2 patients in Odisha's premier medical college
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/odisha-scb-medical-college-doctor-accused-raping-patients-beaten-up-icu-9511784/

5. Maharashtra- Mumbai HORROR: 3-Year-Old Raped By Class 9 Boy In Saki Naka
https://www.india.com/maharashtra/mumbai-horror-3-year-old-raped-by-class-9-boy-in-saki-naka-accused-held-7164878/

6. Rajasthan- 11 year-old raped repeatedly by neighbors in Jodhpur
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/rajasthan/11-year-old-raped-repeatedly-by-neighbour-in-jodhpur-3150097

7. Haryana- Ram Rahim out of jail again, just before Haryana polls. Rape convicts 235 days of freedom & counting
https://theprint.in/politics/ram-rahim-out-on-furlough-again-just-in-time-for-haryana-polls-255-days-of-freedom-since-2017/2222179/

8. Uttar Pradesh -
A. Uttar Pradesh horror! Man rapes his 13-year-old daughter in Amethi
https://www.indiatvnews.com/crime/uttar-pradesh-horror-man-rapes-13-year-old-daughter-in-amethi-crime-news-up-police-investigation-fir-registered-latest-updates-2024-08-15-947089
B. UP Government Official Rapes 6-Year-Old Dalit Girl At Her House
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-government-official-rapes-6-year-old-dalit-girl-at-her-house-cops-6331415
C.Police arrest cleric charged with bid to rape minor girl
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/police-arrest-cleric-for-attempted-rape-of-minor-girl/articleshow/112479986.cms#:~:text=Kanpur%3A%20Police%20on%20Monday%20arrested,Monday%20and%20gave%20this%20information

9. Bihar- 14-year-old Dalit girl 'abducted, gang-raped and killed' in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/14-year-old-dalit-girl-abducted-gang-raped-and-killed-in-bihars-muzaffarpur-district/cid/2041057

10. Jharkhand- Jharkhand Shocker: School Van Driver Rapes 3-Year-Old Nursery Kid At Secluded Place
https://news24online.com/india/jharkhand-shocker-school-van-driver-rapes-3-year-old-nursery-kid-at-secluded-place-jamshedpur/317983/

11. Karnataka- Karnataka School Teacher Tries To Rape 11-Year-Old Student In Class, Arrested
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/karnataka-school-teacher-tries-to-rape-11-year-old-student-in-class-arrested-6334499

12. West Bengal- Kolkata doctor rape-murder case
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-all-you-need-to-know-3148176

As I close this article, I am left with a heavy heart and a mind swirling with questions. These are not stories from the last 30 days, every one of these heinous crimes happened in just the last 4-5 days, scattered across different parts of India. How did we get here? How can a nation that holds women in such high esteem in its traditions also be a place where they are so brutally violated? The stark contrast between our words and our actions is impossible to ignore.

It's a deeply disturbing irony that in a country where we worship women, we also rape them; where we speak of equality, honor, and the rights of women, the number of violent cases against them continues to rise every year. It doesn't make sense, but it is our reality. I am deeply unsettled and disheartened by these incidents, and it's clear to me that true change will only come when enough people resonate with this cause. But this isn't just a call for reflection it's a plea for ACTION! It's time for us to do more than just feel unsettled; we need to channel our discomfort into real, lasting change. True transformation will only come when we demand not just words, but a complete overhaul of the way we think, act, and legislate. We must foster a cultural shift that honors women not just in temples, but in every aspect of life. We must push for stronger laws that are not just written, but enforced with the full weight of justice behind them. And we must ensure that justice is more than a concept, it must be a lived reality for every woman who has suffered.

The future of our society depends on how we choose to act now. Will we continue to be complicit in this cycle of violence, or will we rise together to break it? The answer lies in each of us. The time for change is long overdue, and it starts with you, with me, with all of us.

(all data presented in this post is taken from public forum and consolidated in presentable format)

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