From Rural To Urban, Why No Woman Is Spared From Slut Shaming

Almost every woman has encountered stares where she must have felt so feeble and helpless and the gaze must have ripped her body from toe to head. Despite being uncomfortable she couldn't speak up for herself solely because there is no ground for molestation and her affliction would go unnoticed and no heed would be paid to it.

Years later, when she will be a mother she would ask her daughter (out of obligation) to cover herself with as many shields as she can in order to avert the ogles.

The conversation about crimes against women often revolves around what the woman was doing, what she was wearing or where she was among others. Unfortunately, slut shaming women after they speak up about the harassment they face is a norm.

Urban or rural, no matter where women are, no matter what women wear, they aren't safe from slut shaming.

Slut Shaming

How Does The Vicious Cycle Of Slut Shaming Begin?

Slut shaming can take many forms, but it often involves accusing women of being solely responsible for their suffering. This kind of behaviour is pervasive in many cultures around the world and can have serious consequences for women who are targeted. It, particularly, commences with harassment and when a girl musters up her courage, her clothes and her way of dressing are targeted. She is often labelled with derogatory words and statements.

Skin As A Threat And Seductive Agent

One of the most common ways that women are coerced into avoiding revealing clothing is through the threat of sexual assault. Women are often told that they will be targeted by men if they wear "revealing clothing". How can the showcase of their skin render them with the oglers and assault? By suggesting that women who wear revealing clothing are somehow responsible for being assaulted, we are perpetuating the myth that men are unable to control their behaviour.

The truth is that men are capable of controlling their behaviour, and it is up to them to take responsibility for their actions. Women should be able to wear whatever they want without fear of facing slut shaming, being harassed or being assaulted. Slut shaming only serves to reinforce the idea that women are responsible for their safety, and that men are somehow unable to control themselves.

No Gulf Prevails Between A Rural Area And A Metropolitan City

Unfortunately, women who live in rural areas or metropolitan cities are equally likely to be targeted by slut shaming. While the cultural context may be different, the underlying attitudes and beliefs are often the same. It has been found that 18.7 percent of young girls had been called a "slut" in metropolitan cities however in rural areas it depreciates slightly by 15.2 percent.

While having a word with the girls of high school, it has come to the cognisance that teachers resist calling girls "sluts"; they instead call them "characterless" in order to sound generous. The pertinent question worth pondering is done being a teacher imparts to them the right to slut shame girls for the way they are. A girl student is supposed to tie her hair into plaits and the female teachers are also restrained from wearing jeans on school premises. The reason for the prohibition is to protect female teachers from molestation and from derogatory statements as well.

A piece of cloth that is being carried by another gender can amount to molestation for females. These sentiments are ridiculous and don't align with the notions of the fast-paced 21st century. The rural-urban divide manifests itself in many ways.

According to reports compiled by the Women Action for Development which were culled from the daily newspapers published in Imphal, there were 159 rape cases. Out of the 159 rape cases reported in the media, 87 were from rural areas while urban areas accounted for 72. As per these stakeholders, the indiscriminate need is to constrain women and girls and merely then the afflictions around women would be eradicated.

Either way, the message is clear as per the stereotype, women who dress fashionably are "asking for it."

The solution to slut shaming is not for women to stop wearing revealing clothing, but for society to change its attitudes towards gender roles and sexuality. In antiquity, women used to veil their faces but atrocities against them kept accelerating. A piece of cloth would never impart the regard to be catcalled to anyone.

Women should be able to express their sexuality in whatever way they choose, without fear of facing slut shaming or being judged. By blaming women for their victimisation and suggesting that men cannot control themselves, we perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes and reinforce the patriarchy. Therefore, society as a whole should make frantic efforts to create a culture of consent and respect, where women are valued for who they are rather than how they look.

The views expressed are the author’s own.

Suggested Reading: Slut Shaming 101: Ponytails Banned In Japan Schools As They “Sexually Excite” Boys