WOMEN - STAND UP AGAINST VIOLENCE !
In the olden days, everyone thought the women born to marry,
bear children, stay at home, while doing all the house chores, taking care of
husband and the children and end up with slaves and doormats. Always father, husband, brothers and sons
take the domination of the women in the home environment and the social
environment. Women will not be able to
study further in ancient days. After
age-attaining, they have to get married and to stay at home, doing the house
chores. This is a very unfortunate
situation of women.
But, nowadays this situation has been changed. Women attend to studies and more open and
independent in the present context, specially in the West. But, in the Asian region, this situation is
still not being recognized in favour of women.
But, Sri Lankan women are more fortunate than the other countries in the
region. Still the Arab countries do not
give 100% independence to women. In
some Arab countries, women are not allowed to go in the street alone, drive
vehicles and cannot wear a beautiful out-fit without abaya. Though the Koran says that the women will be
treated as equal human beings and protect them from the unethical events, men
misuse these sayings and dominate the women in every way. Not only Muslim religion, every religion says
to respect and treat women equally. But,
men are not willing to give her the correct place in the society.
There are a lot of state and private organizations to help
women to refrain them from day-to-day harassments in every country. But, still we cannot say that the women are
having same equal powers with the male gender.
We can see everywhere how women face so many insults, harassments,
hardships and assaults by the male society.
Women will become victims of plenty of domestic violence, sexual and
mental abuse everywhere in the globe.
Though everyone says that the women get equal consideration from the
society, still there are differences between female and male positions. Male is always dominating the society. Women are underestimated by their own
husbands, boyfriends, male colleagues, as well.
Harassments virtually can be against women as verbal, physical, sexual
or psychological. If you touch a woman
in public is also an offense. These
things can be happened in the day-to-day activities by her own male family
member, such as husband, brother or an elderly male in her domestic environment
or by her work place counterparts, colleagues, male bosses, seniors, as
well. According to the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, (UDHR) adopted in 1948, enshrines the
equality among men and women. Though it
is such, women are treated as dolls and sexual ornaments for men.
Though we hear about several unfortunate humiliation
situations and rapes are being facing by the women, these cases go
unreported. Unfortunately, certain
cultural and traditional barriers are protecting the women from seeking the
support of law. If a husband torture his
wife, the family, neighbours, society and close friends will not take any
action against the husband, thinking that it is not a crime, but it is a part
of the husband's right. These kinds of
happenings will go unnoticed. Unwed
mothers are facing the full accusation from the society, though it is someone
else's mistake. Rape is the one of the
most ancient violence against women, but more than 50% of the rape cases are
not being reported, because victims do not want to bring the shame to their
families by publishing those incidences and do not want to go to courts to seek
the protection of the law.
In the work places, male dominants do not like to give an
opportunity to a female to go up in the ladder in the same profession or to
take a decision on an important task.
Though men do not like to admit, it is a known fact that jealousy is one
of the main reasons, why males do not allow a woman to climb up into higher
ranks in her career. I can personally
agree with this statement, because in the former employment, where I was
attached, I faced the same problems with my boss, who was a male. When we used to show our talents and skills,
men do not like to give us the credit and appreciate the undoubted work, we
rendered to the Organization. If a woman
tries to stand-up against the crime and takes an action against it, then she
will be the laughing stock among her own staff members.
The up-coming technology, too, is being used to abuse women
by taking photos and editing, merging and developing with unnecessary
images. Also, some women are harassed by
latest technological components, such as digital phones, cameras, computers and
so many Internet software packages, like facebook, skype, twitter and so
on.
According to my knowledge, this situation can be prevented
from educating children from the childhood in the schools, religious classes to
respect their mothers, sisters, daughters at home and equal female colleagues,
friends in the schools, work places and the society. Though the women are advanced by educating
themselves in every field at present and taking numerous top ranking positions
in the society, such as prime ministers, presidents, cabinet ministers and white
collar positions, it is an unfortunate situation to note that majority of the
women do not aware of the actual rights and law regulations, prevailing to
safeguard them from the harassment, violence, domestic abuse and crime.
Therefore ladies, please stand-up against the crime, violence,
abuse and take necessary measures to bring the back-boneless perpetrators to
the public and court houses!
- Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe -
