Here's the third question:
What does the recent surge of the #Me too movement in India tell you about resistance,gender justice and social change ?
#Me too was a social movement to share individual sexcual harashment issues on internet. It was initially started in western countries and slowly found its place in India. The movement led to resign of a Union minister and some other eminent people from various organisations. Like any other movement, it was subsidised quite quickly. It is limited to elite society of India as it requires access to internet and knowledge in web use. It is pertinent to ask to what extent the movement was successful to stop sexual harassment in general and bring the justice to the victims who came forward in particular.
In hindu religion and mythology, woman is super power and highly respected. However, in contemporary India, many girls and women are exposed to various sexual harassment and exploitation without any justice. Despite high economic growth, women security is abysmal. #Me too is one of various movements and struggles to address such issues. Among various issues, workplace sexual harassment is the main issue taken up by the #Me too movement. The movement laid a platform for the victims to share their story and support each other.
Source: The Hindu
Sharing a personal story of victim required a support from family members and friends. However, Indian society, like any other developing society, is quite different. Sexually exploited or harassed victim is generally treated as shame on the victim. It is very difficult for the victim to lead a normal life once she opens up her story. Further, the victim would face many difficulties at work place. It can lead to loss of job opportunities as it happened to some people in cinema industry. In these circumstances the movement had limited role but increased the TRP ratings for a few days.
The movement is limited to elite, financially independent and upper class society. But a large number of women in unorganised sector and low income category exposed to such voilence, harassment and sexcual offence. The movement hardly changed their fate and brought change to the large section of the society.
Even government has not taken steps to form a legal cell to look into such complaints. Political parties least participated in the movement and hardly shown any support to the victims as they themselves have many skeletons to hide. Politically, it is a missed opportunity for India to bring change and awareness.
Further, it is usually difficult to provide proofs of the past incidents which may not withstand Indian judicial system. The accused exploited the the opportunity and filed defamation cases against the victims who came forward to share their story. Defamation suite is one of the hinderence in India to share a genuine story as the victims are left in endless legal battle.
Therefore, the #Me too movement had little impact in India. Gender justice is only possible by increasing participation of women at various levels of day to day life. For instance, women in Norway are secured and have freedom as they are equally represented in all the fields. Financial independence of women is another way to halt sexuall voilence against them.
What does the recent surge of the #Me too movement in India tell you about resistance,gender justice and social change ?
#Me too was a social movement to share individual sexcual harashment issues on internet. It was initially started in western countries and slowly found its place in India. The movement led to resign of a Union minister and some other eminent people from various organisations. Like any other movement, it was subsidised quite quickly. It is limited to elite society of India as it requires access to internet and knowledge in web use. It is pertinent to ask to what extent the movement was successful to stop sexual harassment in general and bring the justice to the victims who came forward in particular.
In hindu religion and mythology, woman is super power and highly respected. However, in contemporary India, many girls and women are exposed to various sexual harassment and exploitation without any justice. Despite high economic growth, women security is abysmal. #Me too is one of various movements and struggles to address such issues. Among various issues, workplace sexual harassment is the main issue taken up by the #Me too movement. The movement laid a platform for the victims to share their story and support each other.
Sharing a personal story of victim required a support from family members and friends. However, Indian society, like any other developing society, is quite different. Sexually exploited or harassed victim is generally treated as shame on the victim. It is very difficult for the victim to lead a normal life once she opens up her story. Further, the victim would face many difficulties at work place. It can lead to loss of job opportunities as it happened to some people in cinema industry. In these circumstances the movement had limited role but increased the TRP ratings for a few days.
The movement is limited to elite, financially independent and upper class society. But a large number of women in unorganised sector and low income category exposed to such voilence, harassment and sexcual offence. The movement hardly changed their fate and brought change to the large section of the society.
Even government has not taken steps to form a legal cell to look into such complaints. Political parties least participated in the movement and hardly shown any support to the victims as they themselves have many skeletons to hide. Politically, it is a missed opportunity for India to bring change and awareness.
Further, it is usually difficult to provide proofs of the past incidents which may not withstand Indian judicial system. The accused exploited the the opportunity and filed defamation cases against the victims who came forward to share their story. Defamation suite is one of the hinderence in India to share a genuine story as the victims are left in endless legal battle.
Therefore, the #Me too movement had little impact in India. Gender justice is only possible by increasing participation of women at various levels of day to day life. For instance, women in Norway are secured and have freedom as they are equally represented in all the fields. Financial independence of women is another way to halt sexuall voilence against them.
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