I Dream of a Day When Women Can Take a Midnight Stroll Without Fear

Well, I would love to walk through a road at midnight alone. But who has the guts to do it as long as women are not safe?

Every day, I stare at the newspaper hoping there won’t be another rape story in some corner of the country or globe. Unsurprisingly, I will be forcibly fed with many rape stories every single day.

This is not an exaggeration or a fiction of the mind. I find rape incidents every single day, or at least molestation.

I wonder if rape is becoming normalized..

1. The Digital World Is So Transparent That It Should Have Reduced

It’s an era where everything that takes place around us reaches our eyes within minutes. We therefore live in a world that has become very transparent indeed. No one can hide.

But is it helping society when it comes to reducing crimes? I doubt it though.

2. Lack of Stringent Laws

If the judiciary doesn’t take the initiative to bring about revisions and new laws to tackle this situation, this precedent is not going to change.

They should be served the harshest punishment, like “hang until death,” for the rape of any woman, of any age.

Only the judiciary can save society from the clutches of evil minds.

3. Media Has a Big Role

The media should take the initiative to report while keeping the victim’s identity safe.

Media should act impartially, not save those who are influential.

4. People Should Be United

People should be united in tackling this situation.

I cannot see it reducing; instead, it is increasing day by day.

5. Movies and Visual Media Should Show a Minimum Restraint

Recently, we witnessed much social media uproar over how the female lead was characterized.

More disturbing was the obviously distasteful and objectifying camerawork.

Women’s beauty is being misconstrued into sexism, and what can influence fragile minds more than movies?

I wonder why female leads, just for the sake of fame and money, agree to it, let alone the directors.

The otherwise vociferous censor board also didn’t find anything wrong.

I have immense respect for the netizens who showed the guts to come out and raise their voice.

Big salute!

6. Upbringing Has a Big Role

Respect starts at home.

Children should be taught to respect the opposite gender, male or female.

They should be taught to discern evil intentions and make themselves skillful in self-defense.

They should be taught the importance of consent.

No one can take my consent for granted, nor another person’s consent.

7. Blame Should Not Be Placed on the Victim

Usually, the shift is made to questioning the victim rather than the perpetrator.

What was she wearing?

Why was she out so late?

Why was she alone?

There can be no blame put on the victim for a crime of rape. This is always the responsibility of the perpetrator.

8. Delayed Justice is Denial of Justice

Many cases often take many years before being sorted out. The victims have to relive their trauma all over again while waiting for justice.

Justice delayed diminishes people’s trust in the system.

9. Alcohol and Substance Abuse Should Not Be Used As An Excuse

There is no crime that cannot be blamed on alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol does not make your character. It simply reveals it.

Being drunk should never be an excuse for disregarding another’s dignity.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that strict laws, respect for each other, proper upbringing, and collective effort will certainly bring about change. It is essential that there should be a society where women can move about freely at all hours of the day as men do.

Women also deserve respect and freedom. Allow them too to enjoy life and liberty.