Being a woman in India can be incredibly scary because innumerable women experience violence and harassment. The laws and societal rules make it difficult for them to speak up or get justice. Women often have to take extra steps to stay safe, and the strong beliefs favouring men make things tough for them.
Incidents of sexual harassment, eve-teasing, and verbal abuse are distressingly common in public spaces, causing women to feel vulnerable in their everyday lives. Cases of violent crimes such as rape and domestic abuse further underscore the risks women encounter. Additionally, the slow and insensitive response from authorities can discourage victims from reporting incidents, perpetuating a cycle of impunity.
It is not easy being a woman in India as every day you have to step out of the house with the fear that something or the other might go wrong. And you know what’s worse? You know that even the inside of the house is not safe.
Speaking of which, people, especially women, on Reddit’s r/AskIndia subreddit have been listing the scariest things about being a woman in India. Here’s a look at some of the responses:
Associating a family and community’s dignity and pride to a woman’s genitals.
Walking alone at night.
The possibility that any minute you can get raped.
You cannot trust any man.
We have to depend on men for our safety.
Any man around you can one day turn into a sexual predator.
Being forced into marriage
Freaking out in a room full of men.
Even the slightest actions getting considered as a ‘signal’.
Getting assaulted and then getting blamed for it.
Being valued for only your looks and the ability to reproduce.
Being treated as a maid after marriage.
Random people staring at you with the wrong intention.
Because these problems occur frequently, we need to make significant changes in how society works to make sure that women are safe and doing well all across the country.