Civil
society organizations have a long history all over the world for working in the
area of women violence and abuses. No doubt with these painstaking efforts,
they have transformed societies to a high extent but there is still a long way
to go. Things are changing gradually but can we wait for things to change at
this slow pace and continue witnessing women falling prey? A nationwide
movement took place in India after the gang rape stimulated women’s security issue.
Civil society when united can gather an immense strength. They advocated for a
fast track court to deal with cases as such so as to make sure the culprit is
immediately sentenced without any delay. They challenged the judicial systems
and whole public governance was questioned for inability to provide a secure
environment for a woman.
The movement
went viral. Internet that worked for a change during Arab spring was used as
strong social capital platform for awaking people from the deep sleep. I could
see people from all over the world had solidarity for the movement. The globe
is getting smaller and technology outbreak has made it possible for people all
over to world to respond to and have their views on any particular issue.
Damini got support from all over the world irrespective of geographic, religious
and cultural differences.
Nepal has similar sad story on women falling victims to discrimination and violence. Tears shed by abused women have always been
considered less expensive than water, their voices is never loud enough to draw
any attention. Stereotypes obstruct social changes in women’s issues but there
is always a point when the iron bars are broken. Damini gave the strength to
these weak arms to push the bars in Nepal. Outdated and irrelevant laws were challenged.
I see a dawn, a rising sun. The
occupy movement going on in capital city of Nepal is spreading beyond. People
all over the country are waking up from the long sleep. Silence is breaking. Nepal
since last few weeks is fully occupied with movement against violence towards
women. A migrant worker women who came back home after many years was robbed
and raped with the support of an employee in immigration office. This is how a
hardworking bread winner was welcomed back in her mother land. Many protests
are ongoing to ensure she gets justice. Several other never told stories are
becoming visible as well. Throughout the country civil society organizations are
protesting and gaining wider supporters. Events and activities are all focused on women
issues for the time being. Some aggressive while other peaceful protests are
going on, I was impressed by one the movement where the policemen who came to
control the crowd were given roses by the protestors. This is a very good start
of non violent movement. For a similar awareness event, a teenager cousin of
mine wants to sing a song against women violence and was asking me if there is
any song that I could remember. We reflected and wanted to remember if there is
any in our local language. Nothing came to our mind. I posted this to my
facebook wall and waited for my friends to suggest one but no one came back
with a response. This is an indicator that such songs are rarely sung and these
issues are rarely discussed. I sadly convinced myself that this is a story that
was never told, a song that was never sang!
