Dalit women In India are raped and beaten every day. A 23 year old Dalit woman, Jyoti Singh, was beaten and raped by 6 men. The rape sparked media uproar and heated protests throughout india.
Dalit women In India are raped and beaten every day. A 23 year old Dalit woman, Jyoti Singh, was beaten and raped by 6 men. The rape sparked media uproar and heated protests throughout india.
Dalit women In India are raped and beaten every day. A 23 year old Dalit woman, Jyoti Singh, was beaten and raped by 6 men. The rape sparked media uproar and heated protests throughout india.
Dalit women In India are raped and beaten every day. A 23 year old Dalit woman, Jyoti Singh, was beaten and raped by 6 men. The rape sparked media uproar and heated protests throughout india.
Against Sexual Harassment In India, members of the Dalit caste (previously known as the untouchables) which is the lowest caste in the Hindu caste system; have been treated in the most sickening manor. By Indian Society hey have been marked as outcasts and an impurity, as far back as Hinduism was founded, since it is believed by the Hindu people that the Dalits must have done something so sinister in their previous life to have themselves reincarnated in the Dalit caste. Some of the most heinous and inhumane actions are preformed on the women in the Dalit caste. In India, a multitude of Dalit women are raped and beaten every day, however, 3 years ago people began to realize how serious the situation was becoming. After riding a bus home from a movie theater a 23 year old Dalit women, Jyoti Singh, was beaten
and raped by 6 men. For almost 90
minutes she was put through unthinkable amounts of a pain and suffering, and was left out in the streets
naked. Jyoti would
later pass away in a hospital approximately 2 weeks later due to her injuries. You could not call the people who did this human. They are worse than beasts, says Asha Singh, the mother of Jyoti. The disgusting and vile crimes acted upon Jyoti sparked media uproar and heated protests throughout India. People wanted change and justice for women and men from the Dalit caste, but as Rosita Boland from The Irish Times says, it takes more than an international media scandal to change India. India is still a dangerous place for people of the Dalit class, especially women. Women are persecuted and harassed constantly and Jyoti more persistently. Singh Today, as a result of the rape in Delhi and of many other ones, a
Zambrano 2
group, known as the All India Dalit
Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) is attempting to put an end to the violence that suppresses Dalit women. This new movement, led by Dalit women themselves, is helping give women who are victims of violence and harassment a voice to share their struggles and stories. The AIDMAM group has gone on many tours around India and other parts of the world to spread their stories and to help people become aware of situations like these that occur in India and in other countries.
The big shift happened in 2012,
says Asha Kowtal, one of the
leaders of the movement, The
frequency of the crimes was staggering, and our movement galvanized into a stronger force. Prior to the incident in Delhi there were a reported 22 gang rapes just in Haryana. The then small group of Dalit women spent time travelling to Haryana to consult with the survivors and families. Then later in December the world began to rapidly support the movement after the horrific event that took place in Delhi. It opened up a lot of discussions among feminist groups. Stated Asha, We decided to use this space to bring [up] issues of gender and caste Asha believes that the caste is also to blame for the violence on women. She says that the justice for women cannot be fully achieved when the caste apartheid still looms over the Dalits.
Zambrano 3
Caste also plays a huge role in the
violence towards women. The people from the Dalit caste are treated inhumanely, so gender just adds to the level of persecution they receive. The reality of Dalit women and girls is one of exclusion and marginalization, which perpetuates their subordinate position in society and increases their vulnerability, throughout generations, stated Rashida Manjoo, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women. Being a member of the Dalit caste, as well as, being a women puts a huge target on the back of all these women. The
AIDMAM movement is trying to
make people aware, not only of gender inequality issues, but also of the discrimination that goes on with the Dalit caste as well. The AIDMAM group is still trying to make a difference in the lives a millions of Dalit women, to end their constant abuse and persecution. The Dalit women have been oppressed in large masses in India, and the new movement is helping more and more people become aware every day to help put an end to the harassment. Julian Zambrano November 9th, 2015