In ancient times, civilizations revered women as the embodiment of life,

beauty, and divine grace. The word “woman” transcends mere identification;

it resonates with emotion, strength, and an unparalleled capacity for

nurturing life. A verse from the Rig Veda aptly captures this sentiment: “O

Man, the woman deserves your respect and reverence and love because she

remains generous and graceful in spite of man’s hunger for success.” This

highlights the essential qualities of a woman—loving, caring, strong, and

confident in the face of life’s adversities.

The Question of Safety

Are Women Truly Safe? Despite the historical reverence, we must confront a

grim reality: “Are women safe in this so-called educated society?” The answer

is disturbingly clear, and it reveals the deep-seated flaws in our societal

framework. From a young age, a woman is burdened with the responsibility of

upholding her family’s reputation, often at the expense of her own freedom

and happiness. As she matures, she may feel as if her wings have been

clipped, confined within societal expectations and obligations. Marriage, in

many Indian families, becomes a milestone where her autonomy is often

compromised, her choices dictated by tradition rather than personal will.

The Double Standards of Responsibility

Why is the onus of safeguarding family honour almost exclusively placed on

women? This imbalance contradicts the very notion of gender equality that

society claims to uphold. If men and women are truly equals, then the

responsibility of upholding family honour should not be a gendered burden.

The harsh truth is that many women are not even safe within their own

homes. Every family may harbour a predator, someone who violates the

sanctity of home by preying on the vulnerable. When a woman resists, the

true nature of the aggressor is revealed, often leading to unspeakable acts of

violence. The most chilling aspect of this is that such atrocities occur in

silence, often concealed by societal shame and fear.

Statistics paint a horrifying picture: in India, a woman is harassed every four

minutes. The most troubling aspect of this is the indifference displayed by

society—until the violence affects their own, many remain passive, blind to

the suffering of others. Equally concerning is the inefficiency of the judicial

system. The Nirbhaya case is a stark reminder of this failure. The crime

occurred in 2012, yet it took five years for justice to be served. Such delays in

delivering justice only serve to perpetuate the cycle of violence and fear.

In a world that once worshipped women as the epitome of grace and strength,

it is a tragic irony that we now live in a society where their safety is constantly

under threat. The time has come to re-examine our values, to challenge the

double standards, and to ensure that the reverence for womanhood is not just

a relic of the past but a guiding principle for the future. Only then can we

claim to live in a truly civilized society.

by

Ayushman Gajendra