Rules for women only?

Has a man ever been told that he can't step out on the street in a tight, revealing vest, asks Vijaya Sharma.

The Indian media - television and print - is full of debates, discussions, reports on the increasing incidence of rape cases.

The recent rape of a student at a spot in Dhaula Kuan (In New Delhi), which is well-lit and fairly busy, has again raised the question of how safe is a woman on Indian roads. This student was not even alone when the ugly incident happened. She was accompanied by a friend who haplessly cried for help from people around but no one ventured to help her.

Not surprisingly, an oft-heard response whenever a girl is raped was heard this time round too - girls are at fault. They dress provocatively.

Has a man ever been told that he cannot step out on the street in a transparent shirt or a tight vest which shows off his muscled chest and biceps and triceps and that he should not wear crotch hugging jeans? And if he does, has he ever had to face sexual harrassment. Not very likely.

Then why such diktats for a woman?

A young boy I heard on TV said: Jab koi cheez achhi lagti hai to usse chhoo kar dekhne ka bhi man karta hai. (When you see something desirable, you feel like touching it also.) Anybody heard of a term called self-control and respecting another individual?

Women police officers have gone on record with the usual tips: Don't go out alone; avoid poorly lit spots; appear confident - those who appear weak and unsure are the ones who are usually attacked. In the above mentioned case, neither was she alone, nor was the area deserted or poorly lit.

Sadly, not a single authority said that something should be done to address the mentality of the Indian society, which sees the woman as only a desirable commodity and someone who can be grabbed by the male as and when he wants too.

I recently also heard a woman police officer who is much feted and is the winner of a Magasaysay award say that male officers are equally sensitive as women while dealing with incidents of rape and they are trained to handle such gender sensitive issues in the same way a woman would. The argument was probably justified on her part as defence of the police force.

But take one ride in the buses of Delhi and check out the police who are posted at frequent intervals and let me know if they inspire confidence in you to walk up to them and report an instance of sexual harassment in the bus.

What about posting women police officers who will make the girl travelling on the bus or walking on the road will a little more confident of walking up to her and seeking help.

What would you say to this incident sent in by a surfer from Guwahati: "Sexual assault on girls is not provoked by the dress but the evil desire in the minds of the attacker. Few years ago, a friend of mine, highly placed young lady officer in civil service, was sexually assaulted by her 50+ boss even when she was decently dressed in a salwar covering her entire body. She was not a type to compromise or fight back. She just quit her post. Dual tragedy for the victim and society!"

Provocative dressing or a perverted, frustrated mind?

Yes, many will argue that though women have the right to dress as they want to, yet they must keep in mind the limitations of the society they live in.

Yes, they will argue that to say that a woman can dress the way she wants is very idealistic and not practical.

But why not also argue that sex education and gender sensitization should be done not only at the level of school student but also for adults to change their outlook, as the doyen of the advertising world Alyque Padamsee suggests.

Another surfer puts it succinctly when he says that the way women dress has no relation at all to sexual assaults on them. If so, then women in Islamic countries including Pakistan would be less victims of sexual assaults. In fact, the rate of rapes, sexual harassment, and sex-related crimes are much more widespread in those countries than such as Japan where girls-women used to wear half-scart, mini scart and so called provocative dresses. The perverted mindset is to be blamed regardless who wears what.

What do you think should be done to prevent such cases in society or what should be done to change the perverted mindset. Some people say India is a sexually repressive society, so more access to porn magazines or legitimising prostitution might serve as an outlet for people. Some suggest restricting access to explicit channels on TV.

What do you suggest?

Submit your views