After Delhi sets ball rolling with plans for India's first 'Besharmi Morcha' to emulate global phenomenon against male sexual violence, activists in city contemplating a 'we-too'
After Delhi sets ball rolling with plans for India's first 'Besharmi Morcha' to emulate global phenomenon against male sexual violence, activists in city contemplating a 'we-too'
Not just Delhiites but Puneites too are warming to the idea of a SlutWalk, or Besharmi Morcha, as the desi version has been termed. A global phenomenon, SlutWalk is a parade where women dress skimpily to challenge the mindset that a woman's provocative clothing and not a man's slip of character is responsible for sexual violence on women. While Delhi is going to see India's first SlutWalk in July with thousands of people having already either signed up or pledged support, Puneites seem to be welcoming the idea as well. Some are even thinking of proposing one here.
Some like it hot
MiD DAY spoke to a few feminists and women across the city and found that they did not seem to mind the idea of a SlutWalk here. "I think a woman has the complete right to decide what she wants to wear and no one should dictate terms to her or term her a slut if she chooses to dress in a particular manner. I do agree that a woman must be decently dressed, but then again, who is to decide what is decent and what is not? Besides, even if a woman walks nude, does that mean a man should attack her sexually? If women are not decent according to them, are men less than brutes who do so?" said leading feminist Vidya Bal, adding that she also felt that to bring any real impact merely rebellion would not help.
For their right to flaunt: Demonstrators march on a SlutWalk on June
u00a04 in Glasgow, which was the first in the Scottish city. file pic/Getty images
"Women will assert their right to dress but will men behave themselves? The idea is to get men involved and make them bring change in their lot," she said. Another leading feminist, Kiran Moghe, also said that she did not mind a SlutWalk in the city. "I believe in the right to liberty and that's why I believe that firstly women are free to choose the way they dress, where they go, et cetera. Also, I don't think that a woman gets assaulted because of her dress and that's why I support the idea in spirit. Though, whether this form of protest will work or not, I don't know. But if people want to assert themselves through this kind of parade, so be it," she said.
Manisha Gupte, founder of the NGO Masum that works for women's empowerment, also supported the idea of a parade against sexual violence.
"I am yet to get all the details and the success of such an idea depends on many factors. But I support the idea that a woman's clothing is not responsible for attacks on her and this should be protested," she said.
Sanyogita Dhamdhere, member of Centre for Advocacy and Research, says that much work needs to be done in this direction and the SlutWalk could be a beginning. "Whenever we read reports in the media as well, very often we see a comment on the victim's sense of dressing, the fact that she had many boyfriends or was out late at night. But when will the men take responsibility? It's not about what women do but what is being done for them that is important. Maybe this kind of parade may shock some, but it can serve the purpose of an eye-opener as well as a platform to empower the fight against discriminating attitudes towards victims of violence," she said.
Talks are already on in some quarters for having a SlutWalk in the city as well. Small beginnings have been done with a Facebook Page being created as well as talks among activists. A member of feminist organisation Stree Mukti Andolan Sampark Samiti told MiD DAY that the idea would be proposed and discussed at their next meeting on June 25.
Some like it not
There are also some women who seem to disagree with the idea of a SlutWalk, calling this form of protest a sham. "Yes, I do agree with the fact that women should not and do not get attacked simply because of their dress. However, at the same time, I don't think that protests of this sort, that is dressing skimpily and taking to the streets shouting slogans of women empowerment, will help either. It would not be taken seriously and attacks on women are not a matter to be dealt with in a trivial manner like this," said Ujjwala Barve, head of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Pune.
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