When one after another, brutal murders of women shake the roots of humanity and trigger protests, citizens are forced to question the system and government. Instead of answering them with actions, politicians tend to find a way out by blaming the survivor or deceased and her family. They fail to provide justice and find an effective way to curb ever-increasing gruesome crimes against women. Some of their statements reek of patriarchy and the attitude that men will be men-attitudes. Vipin Karnwal comment
Recently, via a social media post, Vipin Karnwal, a politician, on Uttarakhand Resort Case, wherein a 19-year-old girl was reportedly murdered for rejecting sexual advances, slammed the girl's parents for her death. He took a jibe at the deceased's father for allowing the daughter to work in a resort. He also pointed out that the resort has a history of debauchery; how can a father send his daughter to work there?
Politician comment on Ankita Murder Case
In the latest example of victim-blaming, the politician reflected his thoughts on how women's mobility and autonomy must be restricted as anything can happen to them. They should avoid places where men can probably commit crimes. Is it that difficult for a politician to stop passing such insensitive comments and not to dole out such lectures on parental duties when their daughter and the family is already suffering from heinous crime?
Preaching male members of a family that they have no right to use their daughter's income makes no sense. It's their family matter. In the first place, if the son's money can be used so can the daughter's. We need to stop shaming livelihood sources. Secondly, no one has the right to tell women where they should work and where they should not. Every time, why is the deceased blamed for being in the place of the incident? She is told she should have known better. It might be then the incident would not have happened. Sometimes her clothes are blamed for the relationship a woman had with the accused or her upbringing.
Earlier, also politicians had made derogatory remarks about sexual violence, blaming survivors prominently. Goa’s CM, Sawant on the gangrape of two minor girls on 25 July 2021 commented, "If 14-year-olds stay on the beach the whole night, the parents need to introspect. Just because the children don’t listen, we cannot blame the government and police." Ramveer Bhatti, shared his views on the Chandigarh stalking case. Stalking incidents tend to occur if girls are out at an odd hour. Girls must not roam on roads after dawn. What do these insensitive comments of ministers represent? Sexism, discrimination, a patriarchal mindset, or a way to escape criticism. Men disappear from this narrative altogether. Nowhere in their statements for once did they blame the accused or try to take solid decisions on cracking down on crime against women.
Why are women always blamed? Why should women avoid working at certain places? Why do women have to live in constant vigilance and terror? Why sexual violence is referred to as women’s safety not male violence? Shouldn't we focus on the people who feel like stalking, or attacking others? Shouldn't this attitude men will be men questioned? Why should women give up on their choices, so it becomes privileges for men? Why does society expect women to be extra cautious, and then teach men to behave?
Suggested Reading:
Men Face Sexism Too, Its Called Reverse Sexism, Here Are A Few Examples
It's unreasonable to put unspoken regulations and curfews on women politicians and society. Politicians are lawmakers; they run the country. They must make women feel safe through their words, law and order. Unfortunately, it is not happening. Politicians are indirectly shaming the survivor and her family to save the failures of their government. It is wrong and equally cruel to the crime committed because the family and the survivor has to go through humiliation at the hands of society; such statements by politician further emboss it. Don't take action, but also don't make it worst. You may not understand the intensity of such words.
The views expressed are the author's own.
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/2024/11/11/2024-11-11t082606806z-shethepeople-black-logo-2000-x-2000-px-1.png){kind=logo}
When Will Our Politicians Stop This Men Will Be Men Attitude
Politicians are shaming indirectly the survivor, and her family to save the failures of their government. It is wrong and equally cruel.
When one after another, brutal murders of women shake the roots of humanity and trigger protests, citizens are forced to question the system and government. Instead of answering them with actions, politicians tend to find a way out by blaming the survivor or deceased and her family. They fail to provide justice and find an effective way to curb ever-increasing gruesome crimes against women. Some of their statements reek of patriarchy and the attitude that men will be men-attitudes. Vipin Karnwal comment
Recently, via a social media post, Vipin Karnwal, a politician, on Uttarakhand Resort Case, wherein a 19-year-old girl was reportedly murdered for rejecting sexual advances, slammed the girl's parents for her death. He took a jibe at the deceased's father for allowing the daughter to work in a resort. He also pointed out that the resort has a history of debauchery; how can a father send his daughter to work there?
Politician comment on Ankita Murder Case
In the latest example of victim-blaming, the politician reflected his thoughts on how women's mobility and autonomy must be restricted as anything can happen to them. They should avoid places where men can probably commit crimes. Is it that difficult for a politician to stop passing such insensitive comments and not to dole out such lectures on parental duties when their daughter and the family is already suffering from heinous crime?
Preaching male members of a family that they have no right to use their daughter's income makes no sense. It's their family matter. In the first place, if the son's money can be used so can the daughter's. We need to stop shaming livelihood sources. Secondly, no one has the right to tell women where they should work and where they should not. Every time, why is the deceased blamed for being in the place of the incident? She is told she should have known better. It might be then the incident would not have happened. Sometimes her clothes are blamed for the relationship a woman had with the accused or her upbringing.
Earlier, also politicians had made derogatory remarks about sexual violence, blaming survivors prominently. Goa’s CM, Sawant on the gangrape of two minor girls on 25 July 2021 commented, "If 14-year-olds stay on the beach the whole night, the parents need to introspect. Just because the children don’t listen, we cannot blame the government and police." Ramveer Bhatti, shared his views on the Chandigarh stalking case. Stalking incidents tend to occur if girls are out at an odd hour. Girls must not roam on roads after dawn. What do these insensitive comments of ministers represent? Sexism, discrimination, a patriarchal mindset, or a way to escape criticism. Men disappear from this narrative altogether. Nowhere in their statements for once did they blame the accused or try to take solid decisions on cracking down on crime against women.
Why are women always blamed? Why should women avoid working at certain places? Why do women have to live in constant vigilance and terror? Why sexual violence is referred to as women’s safety not male violence? Shouldn't we focus on the people who feel like stalking, or attacking others? Shouldn't this attitude men will be men questioned? Why should women give up on their choices, so it becomes privileges for men? Why does society expect women to be extra cautious, and then teach men to behave?
Suggested Reading:
Men Face Sexism Too, Its Called Reverse Sexism, Here Are A Few Examples
It's unreasonable to put unspoken regulations and curfews on women politicians and society. Politicians are lawmakers; they run the country. They must make women feel safe through their words, law and order. Unfortunately, it is not happening. Politicians are indirectly shaming the survivor and her family to save the failures of their government. It is wrong and equally cruel to the crime committed because the family and the survivor has to go through humiliation at the hands of society; such statements by politician further emboss it. Don't take action, but also don't make it worst. You may not understand the intensity of such words.
The views expressed are the author's own.