For many, the failures of the struggle against sexual crime translate into a daily, ongoing nightmare. The MILEAD Fellows of the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa stand in solidarity and sympathy with victims and survivors of these crimes all over the world, particularly the woman who so tragically lost her life following her brutal gang rape in New Delhi just recently. We choose not to be silent in the aftermath of this particular case precisely because it is geographically removed. We are all connected.
The world was shocked that the rape of this 23-year-old student occurred on a moving bus. The latest news, among other responses, is that it may soon be required that buses remove all tinted windows and also light their interior spaces at night so as to increase their visibility. While these proposed measures will undoubtedly be useful, the problem cannot simply be addressed at such a superficial level. It will not be enough.
What some may not know is that in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rape has occurred in broad daylight: on trains, buses, and streets; because when enough lawmakers and enforcers turn a blind eye, when society is desensitised to the horrors of any crime, a public location is no longer a deterrent to its taking place. And even if all public rape ceased, an injustice committed in private is still an injustice and must be addressed. And while it is important that policy changes are made to increase law enforcement and survivor support, there is only so much that can be done from the policy level to prevent the crime itself. The DRC has been referred to as the rape capital of the world, but any nation can earn that title if insufficient attention is paid by all citizens to rape within its borders.
A more subtle dimension of the problem is a continued choice of all manner of society members to ignore the troubling gender inequality that has managed to instill itself in culture, family discourse, informal institutions, and even language. Some of these scattered factors may actually be roots of the terrible and destructive acts in question. Also, men are not the only ones culpable at this level, just as they are not the only ones who rape. Women themselves have been guilty of harbouring and expressing ideas that, when unpacked, may all too clearly link to the oppression of their own sex.
There is no such thing as a partial solution to ending the violence that took an innocent young student away from us on 28th December, 2012. Everyone must take action. If no one is taught at home and in the most basic arenas of society that women are inherently as valuable as men, what is to prevent someone from assigning worth on an arbitrary basis, to suit his or her current “needs” (Once again looking at the DRC, women can be perpetrators, and men can be victims)? It is also important to note that gender equality does not serve women alone, neither does it solely address gender-based subjects. Gender equality says that we are all equal because we are equally valuable, to be respected to an equally high degree.
Let us address these issues at their core and ensure that we are on the correct path to change. True proponents of change in India, we stand with you.
With deepest sympathy and support,
Tayo Adjapon-Yamoah, 2012 MILEAD Fellow
God bless you Tayo for taking the lead.
“The possibility of facing reprisals for speaking out is high, but silence is not an option.”—MaDube.
My heart bleeds for the Girl,I Pray this comes to the mind of the law enforcers to take an appropriate action, indeed many are the times eyes have been turned blind to such issues its high time for justice take its course and let there be laws that respect human dignity…its sad how the world is aware of prices of almost everything and neglect the value of everything including life…
this is indeed a good deed, lets push for more justice to be taken across the world to stop such evil violence against women…
it is indeed tragic dat such ahorrendous act has taken place n has robbed the world of yet another productive young woman who could ve contributed to making d world a better place.. to her and to all other women who have been and continue to b victims of physical, sexual and psychological violence we as young women leaders of africa owe it to them to make a stance to let the world know dat we are horrified and will not sit back and watch such heinous crimes continue to happen to women all over
all the world.. let us tighten our belts and work harder to empower each other n our peers in our communities; sensitisation can never be over emphasised. this young promising and full of hope young woman has lost her life and may her soul rest in peace.. but what is being said and done about the perpetrators?? is the world just going to sit back and watch dem roam free to violate and murder countless other women n let others like them do the same in other countries.. THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW!
this is so sad. I wonder what men think about us women. Here in Malawi a magistrate has acquited a man who defiled a 10 year old girl on a basis that the girl did not feel pain during defilement. A group of women took the issue up with an organisation called Eye of the child and the have written the High court registrar for a speedy review of the case. our group is eagerly waiting for the outcome because we have chosen not to sit back. we will fight until we see justice
It kills me to hear such Stories Due to the fact that I myself have been through rape at the age 11 I know how it feels like when fear anger helpless pain and betrayal all combined into one emotion which kills the women In you. I worry that these cases grow on daily bases through out the continent But my biggest fear is of the fact that Every time I hear about it I’m as helpless as I was that moment.
Could this be what we need:
Dealing with Patriarchy
Dealing with Substance abuse
Empowering women
THE WHOLE NATION STANDING TOGETHER WITH THE LAW ON OUR SIDE
Could it be the eradication of Poverty that could help this