When we talk about cruelty against women, it means different types of cruelty and her oppression by the society. Women can be tremendously powerful and can rule all the fields and sectors but being a female the society doesn’t allow her to do so. Woman gets terrible, harsh challenges from the beginning of her life only. If I talk about India itself, may females are forced to abort their unborn baby if the would be child is a female. Female infanticide or aborting girl child is first cruel injustice on women which is a part of our so called respected society.
This is a man dominated society and the concept that man runs a family so birth of a male child is always welcomed, on the other hand aborting a girl child forcefully without the consent of would be mother is also very much practiced. And this is definitely an social evil and cruelty on women. Killing a fetus is an illegal practice but still it goes on. There are many cases where people have buried their newborn girl child in mud and left it to die. This is horrible but true, fortunately these days people are getting educated and aware. Now there are thousands of people who accept that baby girl has a right to take birth and she is a precious gift but not a financial burden. Here a strong advice or tip is that if you are facing personally or seeing any incident of female infanticide then immediately report to the women helping organisations. This is a legal offence and if you reach to the police or renowned working NGOs then the culprits would be facing hard punishments or will go behind bars.
One cause of infanticide is dowry system, people used to think that if they have a girl or daughter they have to pay heavy dowry at the time of her marriage. This dowry system is another tragic cruelty against women. We have heard many cases where young brides and daughter in laws have been killed as they could not fetch enough of dowry. Though taking or giving dowry is a crime but still our society follow the same. On the name of gifts and blessings groom side people ask for money, jwellery and other assets. Even in this modern era, there are some greedy fellows who think if they are from groom side they have full right to ask for anything from the brides family. Now you can directly complain this to India women welfare foundation or to the police. The law considers it a crime and if reported the offender pay for this offence. Here I would like to add one point, if we make our daughters well educated and confident. That will make them independent and financially secured. A well educated and qualified female can work herself and can earn well also. This will make them a asset not a liability, secondly education would be a key of success and achievement for our girls. Fortunately now women are studying, learning and becoming earner of the family.
Education brings awareness and confidence too, I myself have learnt many cases where the bride herself complained the case about her in-laws for demanding dowry. This sets an example.
Another very common problem which harass women is eve teasing. Boys, men use dirty language, pass vulgar comments, which can really make any lady feel very distressful. Eve teasing can be done by any unknown person or even by familiar people . This is a crime and we all have witnessed it somewhere in life. Eve teasing has levels, just teasing with lewd words while the girl is passing by or standing is the first level. Other level comes when the culprit try to touch the body and clothes of the girl. I strongly feel any kind of eve teasing is not acceptable, in any form or by anyone.
Generally girls try to avoid these situations by keeping quiet, if the offender is a relative or a close friend they just dont open their mouth against this all. But if you will not raise your voice against injustice it will encourage the offender to do so again. Though sometimes avoiding such hooligans who pass comments can be a good way, but if you feel he is crossing his limits, it means you must share it with your parents or guardians. If you feel the person is stalking you or following you every where, this is the time you must take help from the law. There are many women helping organisations which runs for helping women, and you can simply call them and get help. Bur remember dont take time in seeking help or in sharing your problem as this kind of filthy people can go to any limit. Cases of acid throwing and assaulting can be heard every other day . If your friend, relative or some acquaintance is troubling you by his obscene language or by his actions, immediately tell this to your family so that this can be stopped and you can live comfortably. In many cases you can stop and reprimand the culprit by threatening or by giving him warning of police and society. All girls should learn self defense art or techniques so that you can handle any kind of confrontation from the attacker.
Rape is another form of cruelty against women, sadly we read and hear often about rapes. This word is a synonym of torture and agony, the lady who gets raped gets torn form inside from her soul. Her body scars or outside wounds can be healed but she breaks from inside . I would add one point here for every woman be alert all the time. If you are working then your contact number and other details must be with your family. In night try, not to use the way which is lonely and with no population. If you have to travel to different places then you can keep some kind of tool with you. Like small scissors, blade; these days some sprays are very effective which you can use to get away from trouble. But use this all only in your self defense. No need to be scared in tough situation, try to be brave and handle. Young girls who get swayed easily on the name of friendship and infatuation must not trust anyone. In parties, gatherings do not accept any drink or eatable item if you get suspicious. Its better to be alert and cautious rather than being sorrowful. I strongly feel there must be tough and firm punishments for rapists. If a rapist would get a capital punishment then others would think before committing the same. The culprit would be a harm to the society, hence there should be firm law to stop rapes.
Furthermore being a woman I would say to all the women that raise your voice against any kind of violence. Women are not weak entity but can do anything and can fight for their rights. If you are facing any crime or any kind of assault take action, be storng and reach to help. There are stricter laws which can take the culprit behind bars, also there are different NGOs which help women. National women’s commission is centered on protecting and promoting the interests of women.
If you see some other woman suffering from any kind of violence support her and provide her help. Also we all must teach our kids to respect girls, this would be very helpful in future. The boys would know that girl is a person and not an object. Cruelty against women have various facts, I guess harassing mentally and making a women feel shameless and distressful is also a kind of cruelty. Young girls beaten by fathers and for money sending into prostitution is another step of this. Married ladies verbally abused for dowry and getting physically assaulted also come under this. Eve teasing, rape are also another dark and ugly shades of women cruelty. If our government and authorities make firm laws for protection of women this can be solved. Also we need to change our mentality, women should not be treated as a burden, women education is most important to eradicate such evils of society.