Welcome SlutWalk!
The much celebrated SlutWalk is reaching India on the 25th of June. Celebrities and non-celebrities alike are all gearing up to walk the protest. Amidst all the hoopla that has surrounded the SlutWalk, one question has been left unanswered in many ways- Does India even need a SlutWalk?
SlutWalk first evolved as a goading response to a statement made by a Toronto Police Officer. While addressing a University gathering on the issue of “Crime Prevention”, the officer remarked, “The women should stop dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”. This particular comment of Michael Sanguinetti evoked extreme fury among the activists and led to the launch of the SlutWalk. SlutWalk isn’t about setting an agenda. It is has emerged as a unique proposition for making the world conceive the idea that a woman, irrespective of the way she dresses or puts her make-up, is not responsible for rape or sexual assault in any ways and that there can absolutely be no excuse provided for heinous crimes like rape or sexual assault.
Does India need SlutWalk?
The answer is a vehement yes. India, as an essentially patriarchal society has been unjust to its women nationals in many ways. To name, female Feticide, dowry killings, sexual slavery, sexual assault and rape are just a few delinquencies that a woman has to face owing to her sex. In the last one decade, crime against women has reached its zenith. According to the statistics, a woman is raped every 25 minutes in India. Only one out of 70 rape cases is actually reported. Unfortunately, the proceedings in these few reported cases are either too sloppy or completely absent for mostly the accused are people with good “political” backing. The bare truth is that the Indian authorities have been fairly unsuccessful in safeguarding the sexuality of the fairer sex. Thus, it is time that women make efforts to make them heard. SlutWalk is the voice of the women who have decided to take a stand to protect them.
Welcome SlutWalk for it is a way of telling the world that the Indian Women are unwilling to take any more atrocities. Welcome SlutWalk for it is a movement which intends to safeguard women’s right to choose. Welcome SlutWalk for it is a method of making the nation listen that yes means yes and no means no. Welcome SlutWalk for it is time to make the men understand that the Indian women are not going to tolerate their libido. Welcome SlutWalk to give the Toronto Police Official and the million others of his kind, a lesson to remember.
The greatest misconception regarding the SlutWalk is that while walking the protest, one is supposed to wear revealing clothes and unveil their body in “slutty” fashion. Though SlutWalk aims to redeem the true meaning of the word “slut”, it does not intend to do so by compelling the protestors to shed off their clothes. The official website of SlutWalk, SlutWalk Toronto, clearly states that anyone and everyone are welcome to support the moment by simply walking the protest. It is absolutely not necessary to dress scanty.
This 25th of June, I will walk the SlutWalk to protect my freedom and my sexuality. Hope to see you there too.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Whats-In-A-Name/articleshow/8865583.cms
ReplyDeleteAnas Alvi- There is always a contrary school of thought and I do welcome it in every way. However, I say that at times, women do have to take on to the immodest ways for making themselves heard. Silent protests have never made anyone reach anywhere. SlutWalk is weird, provocative and yes, attention- grabbing but as long as it serves the purpose, it was supposed to serve, it is acceptable.
ReplyDeletewell, as far as india is concerned i don't think it would make a big impact in curbing the sexual crimes or improving the sex ratio..what people in india really need is education..and i don't think it can come from a 'slutwalk'..it will be held in a city and only some people(considering the india's population)will come to know about it, and only a fraction will understand what it really is about..so i would say it may create some awareness in other nations but i'm skeptical about its success in india
ReplyDeleteSlutWalk is weird, provocative and yes, attention- grabbing but as long as it serves the purpose, it was supposed to serve, it is acceptable-i don't agree with this comment of urs..if u believe in this then i think u should also support the terrorist activities..because for them it also serves the purpose, although how violent or harmful or anti-nationalist or anti-human it may be, it serves their purpose..
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteComparing Terrorist attacks with the SlutWalk is slightly absurd. Terrorist Attacks are wrong for they harm people. SlutWalk is not a movement that is harmful to any section of the society in any which ways.
ReplyDeleteAs for SlutWalk not being a success, well when nothing else is working either, why not give this movement a fair chance? It might as well make some ears alert.There is always a probability of some good happening.
It may look absurd but i have just mentioned it to make a point..u can't do anything to prove something..there is a way of doing any thing....slutwalk is also harmful in its own way..
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as it getting success, i still have my doubts..but if it does, it will be a good surprise and i sure hope to loose this debate, for this cause.. :)