Blog 4: New Delhi Rape and Indian Women's Struggle

The brutal rape and murder of a 23 year old student in New Delhi has sparked a march among women who are enraged. The student moved to New Delhi from a small village and instead of being able to enjoy the start of a new adventure, she was brutally gang raped and eventually died from internal injuries that were inflicted during the rape by a metal rod. Many women in India are furious and are demanding a change in the structure of India’s society. Women have the constant worry of being sexually assaulted outside of their homes and the police and government offer little to no assistance or justice. Indian women have come a long way with the rising literacy and education rates and joining the workforce but these terrifying attacks against them still seem to occur which is why the march is so significant. Indian women want the public to know that they have a voice and that they are demanding to be heard and demanding a change.                                

India like many other countries place more significance on the male population, leaving females to struggle, face brutality, and unequal treatment. I believe that it is crucial for Indian women to continue striving to work their way into the workforce. A country where women are not respected calls for women to demand respect and that comes with power. If women can continue to educate themselves maybe they can begin to hold higher positions and that would allow for social changes. Unfortunately change often involves death and Indian women may face brutality because of their increased education or their entrance into the workforce. Demonstrations like the march that took place seems like small steps but the small steps are building blocks that help to bring awareness and change. Unfortunately while small changes are occurring women are still forced to face this brutal and unnecessary treatment which in the case of the 23 year old student this brutality led to death.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/world/asia/rape-incites-women-to-fight-culture-in-india.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Ashley Lumsden
2/22/13 4:28 PM