Women remain ‘soft’ targets

 

This International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, it is necessary to look at how new, hidden dangers are emerging, making the situation more challenging for women of all age groups. It has become imperative that women be alert at every step and ensure their own security.

 

As per the latest United Nations statistics, one in three women worldwide have experienced ph-ysical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner and one in two women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family members.

 

Right from children as young as four to housewives, everyone is prone to increased vulnerability to mental violence, and technology has been a major medium, acting both as a boon and a bane.

 

Jameela Nishat from Shaheen, an organisation working for women and their security, said that there was no age group to categorise violence against women. “Dangers and risks start right at home. With technology creating the much-needed access to everything, privacy in real life is almost non-existent.

 

We have received many cases of a husband recording their act (sexual) and using it against their spouse. Sometimes he exploits her further and in some cases they watch the-se videos with their friends. In reality there is no scope of letting anyone invade privacy.”

 

Calling for women to be more assertive, Greeshma Rai, a human rights lawyer and founder of Hyderabad for Feminism, said, “A lot of women must learn to be speak up. Even now, many do not confide issues to their mothers. Every day we keep facing different kinds of harassment and it is a necessity that women must be assertive and vocal.”