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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Womanifesto : To LIVE, not just EXIST - CAMPAIGN KICK OFF!

The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” - Mathew Henry

Henry, A 16th  century “man” seems to have got his facts and interpretations right. Yet, here we are in the 21st century, the century of technological boom and modernization, fighting for basic needs and rights for the female race! Apparently, “Evolution” seems to have lost its way and taken a wrong turn. Here is a sample proof - A recent research concluded that 1 in 5 young men think it's okay to abuse a women. About 70% of women (in the whole world) experience physical or sexual abuse at least once from men in their life time. There are many more such statistics which would probably run for pages. Is this what modernization is all about? If the answer is Yes, then the whole concept of modernization is one big scam trapping women immaterial of their age, creed and caste.

It is perhaps more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict."
Major General (ret.) Patrick Cammaert, former UN Division Commander for Eastern DRC (MONUC)

The entire female population on this planet would probably agree with Major Patrick. The reason isn't a million dollar secret. With crimes against women in the rise, we women simply wish god had given us a choice to choose our own gender.

Why have women become ready made targets? Are we weak? Is our physique our major disadvantage? I don't think so. When we can take 57 dels of pain during child birth (45 dels is extreme), carry a minimum of 1 kg of weight (Yeah! The baby) around non stop and also do regular work like cooking and cleaning, calling us weak would be plain stupid and nonsensical. Branding a woman as a weak creature is a poor excuse to abuse her.

Consider the typical male argument – Women are weak and fragile. They invite to be raped/abused by dressing provocatively and going out partying in the night. They shouldn't take up regular jobs for their job is just to cook, clean and take care of the kids and family. Why do they need to be educated to simply stay at home?

For argument's sake, let us assume we women agree with men in the first point – Women are weak and fragile. It's now established that we are weak and fragile. Then I ask, why do you (Yes! You men!) need to show your prowess to us? Why do you need to prove your strength over a weakling like a woman? Go pick on someone your equal! (Go pick on fellow man! At least we'll be in peace)
Abuse of woman has nothing to do with her physique or her strength. It is always the male ego which needs to assert itself as superior.

Then there is this illogical argument of women going out in the night partying. Incidents of abuse/rapes are reported even in broad day light. When men can go out partying why not women? It's the attitude and mindset of this patriarchal society that had laid such prejudiced rules for a woman. It won't take much time for reversal of roles if all the women unite and take up such a vow.

The argument of dressing provocatively thereby inviting to be abused takes the cherry on the cake. It's a rather stupid, flimsy and slippery excuse. Haven't we seen 5 year old girls being raped? What did she wear to “invite” men to rape her? If that is the case, women find men in low hung jeans and tight tees highly provocative. Given a chance many women would beat up the man for wearing such a “costume”.  But has that ever happened? Has a man ever been beaten up by bunch ladies because he dressed inappropriately? I don't think so.
Reason: Women are civilized and evolved species. “Male evolution” somehow lost its way and took a U turn.

Now tackling the most unfair argument of all. Women should stay home, cook, clean and take care of the family. She doesn't need to be educated to do that. It is a common belief that both women and men are born in the same way – from a “mother's” womb. Since when did that change? I always thought we had the same bones and blood. Apparently, it appears to have changed somewhere mid way thereby resulting in the assigning of all “mundane tasks” (i.e. cooking and cleaning) to women. Sounds idiotic right?
That is how the argument of “women should only cook & clean” sounds to me.

Give a try. Educate women. Let them take up the roles in your board room and senates, the world will certainly be a better place to live.

Why are we doing this? Hasn't there been enough protests and campaigns already?

We @ Readers' Muse firmly believe “A pen is mightier than a sword”.  Yes, there have been enough campaigns already and we have been a part of quite a number of those as well. Rome wasn't built in a day. To dream that a month long campaign would change the mindset and attitude of an entire society is avarice.

We picked this month, December particularly as a tribute to Ms. Jyothi Singh Pandey (Nirbhaya) who lost her life in December 2012 after a brave battle post the brutal rape she was subjected to.

We only wish this was done long before. For all we know, she might have been spared of all the agony and lived amongst us today.

We simply aim to get men to stop and think before they act, to think before they pass those mean jokes laced with sexual innuendos at workplace, to think before they “accidentally” fall over women in public transport!

We aim to educate women that the concept of “quintessential man” is a myth and they aren't really alone in their fight. We would be more than happy even if a single lady is inspired by our campaign and stands up for herself.

What is in store?

We are featuring works of fiction and non-fiction centered on women. We also have various writers expressing their thoughts on Crime against women.

What can you do?

Please spread the word and support us by sharing our posts, commenting and actively debating
@ Twitter with the tag #Womanifesto
@ Google+ with tag #Womanifesto

Also do sport the “Womanifesto” badge in your twitter & facebook accounts by clicking here.

Most importantly. READ, INSPIRE and EDUCATE.

Educate your sons, husband, brothers & male friends to let WOMEN live LIFE and not just EXIST.

L – Loved not Lusted
I – Improved living
F – Freedom
E – Equality

Teach your daughters to stand up for herself and not cower down!



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