As I sat in one of Uganda’s most prestigious universities with my multi-cultural co-workers trying to raise awareness about women’s reproductive health, I had the most cringe-worthy moment of my life. As we answered questions about how condoms and religion don’t agree with each other, a guy in his mid-20s told us we should talk to the women exclusively. When …
Tag: Rape Culture
The Informal Justice System, Panchayat
A few weeks ago, one of Times of India’s headlines read, “UP woman tied up, thrashed on panchayat’s order; molested”. I received this video as a part of a forward message thread. Amongst these angry and reasonably reacting people were people, who supported the panchayat’s decision. They wanted everyone to honor the decision of a panchayat since this sort of …
Shut Up Or Be Shamed
India is a diverse country and full of contradictions. On one side we have a long history of influential women leaders while on the other, girls and women are asked to dress in a certain way to not entice men into raping them. Women are sacred only for as long as they follow a prescribed outline of how to look, …
Brave Miss World, Fame Done Well
Linor Abargil Uses Her Platform To Support Survivors One thing I have come to appreciate about celebrities is when they devote themselves, their platforms, and their resources to worthy causes. Fame, I imagine, can be a lot of things to a lot of people. But I think everyone has the option to put their fame to good use. Examples are …
What’s Rape Culture? How Does It Affect Women’s Safety?
Rape culture is affecting the safety of women and girls and must end. Do you know what rape culture is? Many have probably seen instances of this in day to day life, but don’t recognize it. Rape culture is defined as, “an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media and popular …
What's Rape Culture? How Does It Affect Women's Safety?
Rape culture is affecting the safety of women and girls and must end. Do you know what rape culture is? Many have probably seen instances of this in day to day life, but don’t recognize it. Rape culture is defined as, “an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media and popular …
India’s Rape Laws – Are they rigid enough?
Rape is a controversial topic. Especially so in India, which has experienced several horrific and high profile cases in recent years. Such cases include that of a gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a public bus in Delhi in 2012. This case and subsequent ones prompted a revision of sections in Indian law that deal with rape and sexual …
India's Rape Laws – Are they rigid enough?
Rape is a controversial topic. Especially so in India, which has experienced several horrific and high profile cases in recent years. Such cases include that of a gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a public bus in Delhi in 2012. This case and subsequent ones prompted a revision of sections in Indian law that deal with rape and sexual …
An Urban Tale: Crimes Against Women in Gurgaon
An upsurge in sexual assault against women continues to plague Gurgaon! As I think about how to reiterate my thoughts, I find myself at a loss of words. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because words simply don’t satisfy my emotions. A familiar feeling of a fatigued anger inching towards indifference overcomes me as I read about …
Speak Our Stories: My Rape and Its Effects (Anonymous Submission)
*Trigger Warning: rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse Topic: Rape My Story It was the winter of 2000 and I was 20 years old. I was not a big party person and spent most of my time with a small group of friends or at home with my siblings. I had a new female friend, Aimee, who had a crush on one …