A nation that reveres women, celebrating their success as actresses, artists, poets, leaders, and beyond,
YET
this same nation witnesses a rape every 16 minutes.
A privileged woman—whether by wealth, caste, religion, gender identity, or occupation—may be considered “safer” in comparison to others. But even these layers of social privilege offer only a fragile shield, barely enough to protect her in a world where vile men still believe they have a right over her body and being. No amount of privilege can fully safeguard a woman when the fundamental issue lies in how society views and treats her.
I’ve been living away from home for the past 2 years, and the number of times my friends and I have gotten eve teased is unreal. Whether we were at parties in the city, day events, concerts, or even right outside our college gates. To think that men feel it’s okay to do so, that women walking on the streets are public property of sorts shows how they don’t even think of us as humans let alone people of their equal status.
This harsh realization has changed my perspective on safety. I now carry a constant sense of vigilance, a fear that creeps in whenever I suspect someone might be following me or staring too long. It’s a fear I never knew when I was living at home, where my parents did everything, they could to keep me protected. For the first 18 years of my life, I never once felt unsafe. But the moment I stepped out into the world on my own, that sense of security shattered. It shouldn’t take layers of privilege or a sheltered upbringing to feel safe. Every woman, regardless of her background, should be able to walk freely without the constant threat of harassment or violence.
Aisa laga 18 saal ka hisaab 2 saal main le liya
My father taught me to be strong,
But held me close when the nights felt long.
He told me to be brave and bold,
Yet kept me sheltered from the cold.
I used to wonder what I did wrong,
Until I learned it was the world that was cruel all along.
As a 20-year-old woman living on my own, the number of times I’ve been told that “she should learn basic self-defense” is astonishing. Why is the onus always on women to protect themselves? WHY AREN’T MEN THE ONES LEARNING BASIC DECENCY? I’ve been told, “She shouldn’t be out at night”—as if the simple act of existing after dark makes me a target. Do I suddenly become public property when the clock strikes twelve?
Every time there’s an incident, the questions start rolling in: What was she wearing? Where was she going? What time was it? Was she alone? Why didn’t she have someone with her? Why didn’t she learn self-defense? Why didn’t she carry pepper spray? The focus is always on the victim as if the fault lies with her character, her clothing, her choices, or her appearance.
Why are my clothes to be blamed? Why is my nature to be blamed? Why are my looks to be blamed? Why is my body to be blamed? Why is my complexion to be blamed? Why me, but NEVER THEM?
The literal meaning of Rape: a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without their consent. But does that definition capture the full extent of the horror? NO. The violence goes far beyond the act itself—broken bones, disfigured limbs, strangulation, there is no end to the kind of inhumane cruelty they do. They are not even rapists at this point, they’re straight up monsters. From 2-month-old babies to corpses, they leave absolutely NOBODY. Till when will you question our choices, before you realize NOTHING WE DO IS THE PROBLEM?
Don’t respect us because we’re someone’s mother, sister, daughter, or wife, respect us because we’re HUMANS.
What’s even more disheartening is that such experiences aren’t unique to me—it’s something most women can relate to. We learn to adapt, to carry the weight of this fear, but it’s not something we should ever have to endure. It shouldn’t take layers of privilege or a sheltered upbringing to feel safe.
The harsh truth is that all women have endured some form of abuse or harassment, often multiple times throughout their lives. If you ask the women in your life about their experiences, I’m willing to bet the number of incidents they’ve faced won’t be less than five—and I hope for their sake that it is. Take the time to listen to their stories, pay attention to every detail, and let that reality sink in. They have lived through this, and their experiences are a testament to the systemic nature of the issue. The weight of their experiences reveals just how deeply ingrained and widespread this problem is, and it underscores the urgent need for real change.
Men stand up against men less. And that’s one of the biggest problems.
Are good men afraid of bad men too? YES.
But do they outnumber you? I DON’T THINK SO.
Instead of questioning and interrogating women when they say something has happened, believe them and try to stand up against men who do that.
Aise logon se kya bhaichara
It shouldn’t come down to your mother, your sister, your wife, your friend, or someone YOU know to stand up against such wrongdoings, this is the most basic thing you can do. Stand up against the men you see around you making sexist comments, stand up when you see someone get touched inappropriately, and call out men when they make anyone uncomfortable with their gaze.
We know it’s “not all men” who do something like this, but all men need to listen and stand up
In recent years, millions of Indian women have made significant strides by entering the workforce, challenging deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, and striving for the same opportunities as men in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This shift marks a powerful transformation as women assert their presence in industries that were once heavily male-dominated. Both women and men are increasingly migrating from rural areas to urban centers, seeking better job prospects and higher earnings. This migration reflects a broader societal change, as economic opportunities in cities continue to attract individuals from all walks of life.
Despite these advancements, India still faces significant challenges regarding female labor force participation. Compared to other countries, India’s female participation rate remains low, a statistic that had been on a prolonged decline until recent years. The situation is particularly stark in urban areas, where women account for less than a third of the labor force. This disparity is even more pronounced in both government and private-sector roles, where men vastly outnumber women, creating a gender imbalance that limits women’s opportunities for career growth and leadership positions.
This gender gap in the workforce is not just a matter of numbers—it reflects broader societal issues that continue to hinder women’s progress.
For more women to successfully join and remain in the workforce, workplace safety is of paramount importance. Ensuring a safe and secure work environment is essential not only for protecting women but also for fostering a culture of equality and respect. As Gita Gopinath, the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund has emphasized, the issue of workplace safety cannot be overlooked. If women are to have equal opportunities in the labor market, they must feel secure in their workplaces, free from harassment, discrimination, and any form of violence.
If women can’t even go to a place of work and be safe, then we are denying them the basic conditions of equality.
It’s not that every time there is a rape or such brutality against women that the conscience of the nation is awakened.
Eve teasing has become so normalized, to the point where many women see it as an inevitable part of life. This normalization stems from a combination of factors—deep-rooted patriarchy, societal attitudes that trivialize harassment, and a lack of accountability for perpetrators. In many cultures, especially in places where gender roles are rigidly defined, harassment is often dismissed as “harmless fun” or “boys being boys.” This minimizes the severity of the issue and places the burden on women to tolerate or navigate these situations rather than addressing the behavior itself.
The fact that many women now consider it a universal experience is heartbreaking. It reflects a society that has failed to protect them and, instead, conditions them to accept discomfort and fear as part of daily life. This normalization also makes it harder for women to speak out, as they may fear being dismissed or blamed for the harassment.
This normalization of harassment forces women into a constant state of vigilance, always on guard against potential threats. It conditions them to accept discomfort and fear as everyday companions, shaping how they move through the world. Women may modify their behavior—avoiding certain places, dressing a certain way, or even altering their routes home—not because they want to, but because they feel they must in order to protect themselves.
It’s not sexual harassment at this point, what’s happening today is sexual terrorism.
In the last 10 days, India has witnessed 21 severe rape cases:
- August 9: A nurse in Uttarakhand was brutally raped and murdered, with her mutilated body found the same night as the Kolkata incident. The accused was arrested on August 14.
- August 8-9: A 13-year-old girl in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, was raped by her father. The report was filed on August 15, delayed because the girl’s mother died two days later.
- August 12: A government employee raped a 6-year-old Dalit girl and threatened her to keep quiet. The assault was reported by another child playing with her.
- August 12: In Uttarakhand, a teenager was gang-raped by a bus driver, conductor, and others. The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by five individuals.
- August 12: A 14-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was gang-raped and murdered after refusing to marry one of the accused. Her body was found outside the village with visible injuries.
- In Punjab, a man who eloped with his girlfriend had his sister gang-raped by the girlfriend’s family. The incident, captured on video, was reported by the terrified victim on August 11.
- August 14: In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by her friends near her home.
- August 14: In Mumbai’s Saki Naka area, a 9th-grade student raped a 3-year-old girl.
- August 14: An arrest was made in Odisha involving a resident doctor accused of raping two patients at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
- August 14: In Sirohi, a 63-year-old widow was gang-raped and her home was also robbed.
- August 15: In Siliguri, West Bengal, three minors raped a young girl.
- August 16: An 11-year-old girl in Ballia was raped, with the assault captured on video and later shared online. The police have apprehended the suspect.
- August 16: In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a minor girl was raped at her home by someone who had been blackmailing her.
- August 17: A 14-year-old rape victim in Sonbhadra died after being assaulted by her teacher in December of the previous year.
- August 17: In a village in Beohari, Madhya Pradesh, a 69-year-old man raped a minor girl.
- August 18: In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a 3-year-old girl was abducted and raped by a garbage collector.
- August 18: In Bengaluru, a 22-year-old woman was raped by a biker who offered her a lift after a party.
- August 18: In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit nurse was raped by a doctor. Three individuals have been arrested, including another nurse and a ward boy who forced the nurse into the doctor’s room.
- August 18: In Ludhiana, three minor girls were raped.
- August 18: In Delhi, a 22-year-old man raped an 11-year-old girl, luring her with the promise of watching TV.
- August 18: In Andhra Pradesh, a minor girl was raped and tortured by someone who deceived her under the pretense of love.
I don’t feel free when the headlines shout of another crime,
another girl, who could’ve been me, lost before her time.
It has been 12 years since the Nirbhaya case, a horrifying event that shocked the nation and exposed a level of brutality that left the country reeling. The case ignited widespread outrage, protests, and demands for justice, sparking hope among many that real change would follow. People believed that this tragedy would lead to reforms, stronger laws, and a shift in societal attitudes toward women’s safety.
Yet, despite the promises and pledges made in the aftermath, here we are, 12 years later, still grappling with the same issues. The hope that things would improve now seems almost naive, as violence against women continues, and justice remains elusive for too many. The changes we desperately needed to see have been slow, and in many ways, we find ourselves back at the same painful point, still fighting the same battles, still seeking the safety and respect that should have been secured long ago.
They made Nirbhaya India’s daughter.
Now Abhaya.
Is this what it truly means to be the DAUGHTERS OF INDIA?
Thanks for the “rights and opportunities” written on paper, but how about giving us the respect to actually uphold them in practice? It’s not enough to promise equality and protection in theory if, in reality, women still face fear and danger every day. It would be a monumental shift if every woman could feel even 1% safer walking down the street—if she didn’t have to constantly look over her shoulder, clutching her keys like a weapon, or avoid certain places after dark.
Real change isn’t just about words on a page; it’s about creating a world where those rights and opportunities translate into genuine safety and respect for every woman, in every aspect of her life. Imagine what that would look like—a society where women can live freely and confidently, without the shadow of fear hanging over their heads. That’s the kind of change we need.
I don’t want this freedom if the hands that proudly lift our flag high
are the same hands that shield their eyes as our freedom fades and dies.