Violence as Stimulus

Universally it has come to be accepted that Gender Based Violence is a major hurdle to women's self realisation. The greatest tragedy is that most of this violence takes place within the home and goes unreported. In the public sphere even today a shameful aspect of most armed conflicts is the extra harm that it does to women non-combatants than men. In all such conflict areas invariably women non-combatants are systematically raped and killed. In India this happens regularly in Kashmir, the North East and now in Central India where the State Paramilitary forces are out in strength to quell a Maoist armed movement. Recently there was a huge public outcry when pictures were published of the bodies of dead women in civil dress, who were allegedly Maoist guerrillas killed by security forces in a battle, being slung on poles like cattle by the armed men while being brought back for post mortem. A gruesome video of this reprehensible and inhuman action of the security forces can be seen here - http://ishare.rediff.com/video/Entertainment/Operation-in-W-Midnapore:-S...

The question raised by all was that even if these women were fighting an armed battle against state forces do they not deserve dignified treatment in death. After all they have taken to this path because of exploitation and oppression. The highest authorities had the grace to admit that this was a gross violation of the dignity of those killed and an enquiry has been ordered.

Stories like these of GBV are numerous throughout the world. Here I would like to write more about what effect GBV has had on me personally. From childhood I never liked being hit. After my mother died when I was only thirteen years old I had to assume the responsibility of home maker and became even more independent. So when after my high school studies one day I had an argument with my elder brother and he slapped me I became extremely angry. I immediately left home vowing never to come back again. I didn't return for two years and by that time I had become a professional social worker. Thus in my personal case GBV acted as a stimulus for freedom rather than as an inhibitor.

Thus, I feel that along with a strong campaign to end GBV we should also encourage women to leverage the shock of GBV to spring out to freedom. After all GBV is so entrenched that it is not likely to end in the near future.