“The freedom the bars give women is not the same freedom a woman on the street or in a brothel has. That’s more like imprisonment.”

INTRODUCTION:

"For me, real freedom is freedom from fear; unless you can live free from fears, you cannot live a dignified human life," says Aung San Suu Kyi in her book, Freedom from Fears.

Her words suggest that true freedom involves breaking free from societal orders and rules, being unafraid to speak one's mind, and not fearing how the community might react. It also means having the freedom to work wherever one desires, whether at two in the morning or late at night, regardless of the mode of transportation, be it a cab or a metro. Whether studying in a primary school or a college, real freedom is about living without the shadow of fear.

RECENT INCIDENTS HIGHLIGHTING VIOLENCE:

A recent incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which reported the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a seminar hall on August 9 and alleged financial irregularities at a state-run hospital, has sparked outrage in the whole nation. With allegations of evidence tampering, the country has observed protests by women in various states and a strike announced by the Federation of All India Medical Association to shut down OPD and OT services in hospitals. There emerges a question: if female doctors are not safe in the vicinity of hospitals, then where are women actually safe?

The Hema Committee report, released recently by a three-member committee constituted in 2017, displayed disturbing revelations about the affairs of the Malayalam film industry. From discrimination, exploitation, and sexual offences to the allegation of the presence of a casting couch (expressions of sexual favours in exchange for roles in films), all this makes the industry inherently exploitative. The lack of essential facilities like washrooms, changing rooms, minimum wages, and many more contributes to the difficult situation of women in this sector of profession. The report highlights that the film industry is dominated and controlled by a small but powerful group of male actors, producers, and directors.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF OPPRESSION:

Phoolan Devi, an Indian dacoit popularly recognised as the bandit queen, protested against atrocities towards her family at the mere age of 10 and was subsequently married off to a man three times her age who offered an amount of hundred rupees to her parents. It was as if a label had been put on her stating her market value. Raped and molested by numerous men. The director of women’s feature service stated that her case clearly showcases how rape is used as a tool by men to control and discipline women to make her know her place.

If one were to try listing all notable cases of violence against women that have captured public attention, the list would quickly become endless. Some of these cases include the Ajmer rape case, the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder (commonly known as the Nirbhaya case), the 2013 Shakti Mills gang rape, the Ranaghat case, the Delta Meghwal rape case, the 2017 Unnao rape case, the Kathua rape case, and many more. These significant cases make it clear that the issue is widespread and systemic.

WOMEN AND WAR:

In scenarios of war, whether communal violence, riots, or the partition within India’s border is the testimony of inflicted violence towards women. In war, oppression of women by the enemy is often used as a mark to represent authority, victory, or repercussions of the actions of another. Women are treated or seen as mere tools that are meant to be acquired either by molesting, sexual assault, rape, forceful conversions of religion, or marriage. This similar case study was observed in ongoing Manipur ethnic conflict between Kuki-zo and Meitei people, when two girls were stripped naked and were forced to parade. Surrounded by a mass of men walking around them, the video was circulated online and shown on news channels. Nationwide outrage was observed, which got silenced or quiet within a few days just like every other issue.

During partition, there were mass rapes; women of other religions were abducted, forced to convert, kidnapped, molested, and killed. Women were forced to commit suicide in order to protect the socalled family’s honour. They were disowned and children were labelled illegitimate. More than one lakh women were genitally mutilated, publicly humiliated, publicly raped, burned alive, nude processions, public stripping, and various other forms of humiliation.

SYMBOLIC ACTS OF VIOLENCE:

Bangladesh was hit by massive protests, which resulted in the resignation of its PM, Sheikh Hasina, following which she left the country in a dramatic turn of events. However, when news of the PM fleeing the country spread, protesters raided the residence of the ex-PM and looted whatever they could. Amidst this, viral videos of protesters shamelessly holding bras in their hands surfaced on the internet. This shows how gendered violence and humiliation are used as symbols of political power and victory. Representing how women’s bodies and personal items are co-opted as tools for asserting control and demeaning opponents.

Symbolic acts of violence against women are often practiced in the form of lexical expressions. With phrases like “hit like a girl”, “run like a girl” or “cry like a girl” which are normative, it subtly develops views about women. Violence is inflicted through the imposition of gendered cultural norms and behaviours. For example, women are taught that ‘something’ might happen to them if they decide to walk alone at night, dress a certain way, or act carefree.

Intimate partner violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women and includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by an intimate partner.

This often includes slapping, hitting, kicking, forced sexual intercourse, psychological abuse, and controlling behaviour.

A WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women, which collected data on IPV from more than 24,000 women in 10 countries, showed among women who had ever been in an intimate partner relationship, 13–61% reported experience of physical violence and 4–49% severe physical violence.

According to the National Family Health Survey of 2020–2021, 29.3% of ever-married women aged 18–49 years reported experiencing spousal violence. Additionally, 3.1% of women experienced physical violence during pregnancy, and 1.5% faced sexual violence.

CRITICAL QUESTION OF FREEDOM:

From households to workplaces, whenever a woman tries to raise a voice for herself or for fellow women, even before she completes her stance, she is taunted as a feminist in a derogatory sense. The society has a misconception of the role of feminism that it involves exaggerating women’s rights and belittle men. On the other hand, feminism is the belief in social, economic and political equality of the sexes.

Often taught from a young age to be obedient, polite, talk in a soft manner, nurturing and accommodating, women are never allowed to let out their inner selves. Strict dress codes, modesty rules, prioritising boys education over women, expectations of girls to engage in domestic chores, no inheritance and property rights, arranged or forced marriage and the concept of ‘family’s honour’ tied to the behaviour of girls all reflect the deep-rooted regressive attitudes toward women.

Our society still has a long way to go in overcoming these barriers and achieving true gender equality. This prompts the author, speaking as a girl, to ask a poignant question: “Am I truly free?”

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