India Dishonoured: Behind a Nation's War on Women Read Free Page B

their brothers’ wrists, who in turn pledge to protect them for life.
    This symbolism of Indian culture that puts women on a pedestal is very real – but it is also in fact the problem. Tradition requires that girls be brought up to be good daughters and later obedient wives, not independent women who should be encouraged to do what they wish. If she is judged to have brought ‘shame’ upon herself, she is seen as bringing shame on the entire family and even the community. Her role is reduced to remaining honourable until she can get married, produce children and run the household. In effect, by putting women on a pedestal, they are placed in a trap where they have to constantly live up to the expectations of others.
    Not everyone accepts this status quo as given. Author Samhita Arni wrote Sita’s Ramayana , a graphic novel, in 2011 to highlight alternative interpretations to the story. “Many of the oral traditions - sung by women, who pass these songs from generation to generation - present a woman’s point of view and voice - something which is lacking, or seems to me to be absent, from the textual versions,” she says.
    She says she had issues with the portrayal of Sita in the epic because the questioning of her chastity – which remains a controversial part – is often glossed over or edited with a happy ending. She wanted to retell the story through Sita’s eyes. This is also explored in her new book Ramayana, The Missing Queen .
    “Sita, in the versions that had been told to me as a child - was a quiet, submissive woman - but here, in other traditions - there’s a warrior princess, a Sita who is strong and wise, a Sita who is compassionate, a Sita who raises her children as a single mother in the forest. These different Sitas intrigued me,” she tells me.
    This contradiction is illustrated by the presence of strong women role models, especially in Hinduism. Perhaps the most obvious example is the goddess of war, Durga , who is considered invincible and celebrated annually at festivals. Durga is accompanied by other prominent female goddesses: Lakshmi (for prosperity), Saraswat i (knowledge), and Kali (power).
    And it’s not just religion – India’s third Prime Minister after independence in 1947, Indira Gandhi, dominated Indian politics for the second half of the 20th century. Elected an unparalleled four times as Prime Minister – 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, she was voted the greatest Indian Prime Minister by readers of the popular magazine, India Today in 2001. Her daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi has loomed large over Indian politics over the last decade and is the longest-serving president of the ruling Congress Party. Even among poorer, lower-caste communities there are strong women political leaders who command respect and terrify opponents.
    In fact, across almost every aspect of public life, Indians can proudly point to strong women role models. Writers and activists such as Arundhati Roy and Vandana Shiva have become international names in their own right as they take on the government on environmental and social issues. There are women academics, actors, sports stars and activists that are highly visible in the public eye.
    But exceptions to the rule do not demonstrate that the rule does not exist. Women make up only 11.1% of the 545 members in the Indian Parliament, while literacy and employment is significantly lower among women compared to men. There aren’t even any laws to protect women from sexual harassment at work.
    It is undeniable that a mix of culture and religion perpetuates fixed views about how women should behave, though Hinduism has seen waves of reform movements 2 These include Swami Vivekanda, Hare Krishna and Arya Samaj amongst others. over centuries that have challenged orthodox beliefs and helped improve the status of women. But while religion is open to interpretation, it is also indisputable that cultural and religious practices are used as