Feminism Isn't Afraid to Call Out Women When they are Wrong

The revelations that it was a minor girl who instigated the gang rape conversation on a social media platform  is cringeworthy and heart-breaking. There is no justifying her actions just because she is a girl. It isn’t painful because as a feminist I have been defeated in my agenda of naming and shaming innocent men. That was never the idea in the first place. Unlike #NotAllMen feminism calls out girls when they are wrong. 

However, let’s get the facts out of the way before we go to that aspect. The police investigation which has revealed it was a girl pretending to be a boy has also revealed that the Snapchat conversation is not part of the Bois locker room episode. The two things got bunched up and out in public because of the nature of similar conversation. And the truth, in this case, does not absolve the others where the investigation is still underway.

Also Read: Bois Locker Room: Boy Planning Sexual Assault On Snapchat Is A Girl

The cause of concern here is all these conversations took place among juveniles and we can safely assume most, if not all, come from an affluent background and go to reputed schools. The question here is under the garb of an online identity why is it okay for teenaged kids to say or ask such horrific things which we would never even contemplate saying to people in person? Why are young girls internalizing misogyny?

It is of grave concern that young women would consider it cool to talk about gang rape and plan sexual assault with boys to test their values and character. A heinous crime like rape is a serious and sad reality of our country, it is disconcerting that young women would take it so lightly. It is horrific if young girls are finding it normal to talk about the objectification of their bodies and glamorize sexual violence. It is time for us to introspect where as adults we have failed them. What we are looking at is our collective failure as a society to teach kids to differentiate between right and wrong, permissible and non-permissible, good conduct and transgressions.

It is horrific if young girls are finding it normal to talk about the objectification of their bodies and glamorize sexual violence. It is time for us to introspect where as adults we have failed them.

Also, there is no denying that Boys Locker Room conversations are a reality and the reek of male entitlement. And the urgency in passing the social media verdicts in the current incident highlights how uncomfortable women can make men the moment they raise questions on their privileges. Feminism is a fight for equality, not a one-upmanship. Please understand what feminism stands for before you call it fake.

Also Read: The Boys’ Locker Room Talk: Mirror Of This Society?

For women, it is a lesson about how our fight gets trivialized with a small misstep. This one act will invalidate the conversation we got going against a society that disregards women’s rights and safety. The rampant trolling, threats and abuse women face on social media and in real life for speaking their mind are but a testimony to that. Youngsters especially girls, need to be taught that issues such as rape and sexual assault cannot be taken lightly, nobody should even joke about them. More importantly, equality cannot be achieved by putting another person down.

For women, it is a lesson about how our fight gets trivialized with a small misstep. This one act will invalidate the conversation we got going against a society that disregards women’s rights and safety.

And as of social media, it is a great tool only when used correctly. I think as mothers and elders the onus is once again on us to reiterate the need for responsible sharing. Social media has given us a movement like #MeToo which unified women across the globe in calling out sexual misconduct. Let’s not under trivialize it.

   The views expressed is the author's own.