In 2022, 2022, 31 000 women were raped in India. The rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has ignited fury across the whole of India.
The UN-led 16 Days of no violence against women and children has fallen on deaf years, as the slaughter of our women and children continues unabated. The umbrage felt by the nation is staggering.
During 2017, 87 000 women globally were murdered. In South Africa a woman is murdered every three hours and many are assaulted and raped before their death. These mindless acts have taken the toll on society. Our recent history is replete with brutal violence on women.
Many perpetrators have been able to get away with their crimes without legal sanction to punish them and to serve as deterrence.
Women live in an insecure world filled with fear. They continue to endure unprecedented violence. Their harrowing ordeals are untold, unseen and unheard.
Strong investigative disciplinary mechanisms must be put in place for those who commit gender-based violence.
Perhaps this poem, author unknown, will galvanise the world to treat women with total civility:
A real man never hurts a woman Be very careful when you make a woman cry
Because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man’s rib Not from his feet to be walked on And not from his head to be superior But from his side to be equal Under the arm to be protected And next to the heart to be loved.” Society must wrap our beloved women in the healing garments of reverence and respect.
* FAROUK ARAIE, JOHANNESBURG.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media
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