Talking Scars: Seema's Views on the Society's Treatment of Women

Some scars are so deep that neither time nor love can heal them. Wounds may heal with time but the scars remain. It is very easy to say this. I am talking about the scars that have been imprinted in her brain. 

Is it wrong to be a girl? A girl who has her own goals and she is brave enough to walk out from the house to accomplish them. If it is not wrong, then why do I still read stories about molestation, rape and harassment. It is embarrassing that women suffer so much in our country but it needs to be said because there has to be an end to it.

The newspaper gives me goosebumps. My mind runs back to 16 December, 2012, when the Delhi rape case was the news. The victim “India’s brave heart” faced the reality not only of the rapist’s but also the world. There was none who lend a helping hand to her after the incident. Do not know how many candle-light marches we have to take out to stop this trauma.  Enough to portray that yes, you feel bad for a girl. Why is it so easy to play with the dignity of a woman let that be the case back in 2012 or now the recent Bangalore mass molestation case on New Year’s Eve. It makes me wonder if humanity exits at all. 

Why does a rapist forget that he was given birth by a woman and now how could he even think of doing such a thing to another woman. He might be a son, a brother, a father. What if it happens with his daughter, sister or wife? Can’t he just be human not only by name but behavior too?
I wonder if a punishment, a lifetime imprisonment or a sentence to death makes any difference. Instead of punishment, could we not focus more on eliminating crime.  Let there be no crime, if there is no crime then there is no point of punishment. I know that crime cannot be eliminated easily but let us take an initiative to stop any crime. Stand up. Fight against crime.
Let a girl feel safe. When we say “Save the girl child”, are we saving her just to bear these acts in the future? Let's show her some respect. If we can’t give her the respect, then we can't judge her. She is not the one who should be ashamed. It is that dirty mindset that needs to change.
I see a small boy helping an old lady cross the road. It shows that there is some humanity left. Can’t we just unite by a common religion- humanity?
Let there be women empowerment not just by sloganeering, but real empowerment.
Loving a girl is the second step, respect comes first. Respect her dreams, respect her opinion and above all respect her dignity.


Don’t respect her because she is a woman. Respect her because you are a Gentleman.

Seema Fatima BTCFs I year 

Art by Kathrina Kakkar at the HLF