The Journey from December 16th!

I switched on the television on 17^th December, 2012, and saw that a girl was gangraped brutally inside a moving bus, in Delhi. She was earlier mentioned as a Delhi University student. As time went on, more brutal details were divulged and the nation was shocked and angered. The accused were caught, the rape survivor was given the best treatment (however, even the best doctors could not save her), her friend and family were given support, and people were out on the streets.

People of Delhi, wrongly known for their callousness, braved the harsh winter and ice-cold water from the hoses used by policemen, being fed up with politicians. The demand for justice for Nirbhaya turned into a larger debate. It brought out into the public forum the issue of safety of women. It brought into public discourse patriarchy, labels forced upon women and most importantly, their empowerment. These issues were not only discussed on news channels or seminars held in prestigious universities, but in each and every home.

This month marks a year since the gruesome incident and people ask if anything has changed at all. Yes, if not everything, something has surely changed. There is more awareness regarding safety of women among common people. Taboos are broken and you will find families using the word ‘rape’, ‘molestation’ in their living rooms. This is because of the reasoning that it is not the woman’s fault, in case of a sexual crime. Women have come out on the streets and made it clear that their dressing is not the reason for men to behave like perverts; it’s the mindset that has to change. A rape victim is no more called a victim, but a rape survivor. A strong law was brought into action. More and more women have had the courage to report cases of sexual crime against them and cops have been forced to roll up their sleeves. True, there have been protests even before the December 16 incident, for safety of women, because Delhi has never been a safe city. However, the unfortunate incident shook the conscience of Delhiites and even the whole nation.

Looking at the year behind, what have we achieved? The answer is well in front of us. The fact that many of us have come out publicly to demand safety for women and that we are not ready to take the insensitivity of the government lying down, shows the change! The fact that many of us have the guts to react to a man when he passes comments at us, shows the change! It has surely been a journey upwards, towards change, however a shaky one. A lot more has to be achieved.