Our society breathes rape culture
KARACHI: The news of a 22-year-old woman allegedly being sexually assaulted by a cleric should make us question our so-called ‘morals’. Considering that our society is judgmental and quick to blame the victim of sexual assault — almost always female — for provoking the man to rape, who are they going to accuse this time? A fully-clad woman seeking religious learning at a madrassa, raped by a cleric, who is to blame?
Our society breathes rape culture, always asking women to wear appropriate clothes, avoid going alone or staying late outside — almost every time putting the responsibility of escaping sexual assault on women. But 93% of Pakistani women experience sexual violence, which means 93% of Pakistani men sexually assault women. If we are scared of our daughters, sisters and mothers falling in that percentage then why are we not worried about our sons, brothers and fathers being assaulters? Instead of asking our female members to be careful and always guarded, why are we not asking our men not to rape?
It’s, perhaps, a matter of perspective. And the one we are considering right now is taxing, costing lives and innocence of our women. Until and unless we turn the tables and point fingers at the perpetrators instead of blaming the victim, it wouldn’t matter where a woman is — be it a club or a madrassa — she will be vulnerable to sexual assault.
Rabia Butt
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2017.
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