Women hold up half the sky

This article has been making rounds on Facebook. I also read about a claim to say it isn't true.

Well, true or not, such cases do happen, and they are serious, disgusting, and wrong. There are things people do in the name of religion or culture that are baffling. There are things people do when they are angry and raging.

Then again, some of these people have been brought up with certain ideologies drilled into their heads and possibly, hearts. They believe that there is nothing wrong with it. Some take sadistic pleasure in their "entitlements" even if their conscience may have once ever told them that it is wrong. This is proved by social psychology studies which show aggression is triggered from things such as imitation as children, and cultures which promote male honour and machismo. To some, this – the marginalisation of women – is just their way of life, because it's the only thing they have ever known.

That is, until education comes about. Education which comes to say – it is not like that in other parts of the world. Education which says there is an alternative way to life. Education which says you have a right to choose what is good for you and those around you.

This means education for women to learn about their rights, and also for men, who learn that there is "another way" – that if they treat "their" women with humanity and dignity, see them for what they are worth, and let them contribute to the household in more than just cooking and child bearing and rearing (nothing wrong with those in themselves), their lives and family's lives could be better for it. Culture can change.

I wasn't surprised to read the above article because I read "Half the Sky", by Pulitzer prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The title was based on Chairman Mao's words, "Women hold up half the sky". It highlights women issues around the world, including the subject of child brides and their mistreatment. It was an eye-opening read which dug at my heart. I recommend it.

The book tells of real women who are forced to marry young; cultures where marrying a virgin is so prized that when a man really wants a woman he cannot have, he rapes her so she must marry him; areas known for prostitution where mothers pimp their daughters; prostitutes who escape or are saved by aid groups, but eventually return to the place they hate, because they were put on drugs which they grew addicted to and now cannot live without. On a positive note, the authors write about how this can change, and share stories of women who fought their circumstances and now fight for the rights of other women. A lot of it has to do with education.

If you're not a reader, here is their film trailer:

These are things we need to know about and not take for granted. 

These things happen all the time in certain cultures, but are only highlighted once in a long while. And when they are highlighted, we are shocked at its absurdity – how can someone do something like this! When really, it happens all the time. 

It is alike the case earlier this year, of a girl in India who got on board a bus with her guy friend, and was gang raped. The men beat her up so bad, she didn't survive her injuries. It was in the media. We were all so shocked. 

I wondered how it felt like to be a girl living in India, to hear about this, and to have to worry for her own safety. We had an intern from India at that time, so I asked her. She nonchalantly replied – oh, it happens all the time. It happens all the time. Gang rapes, and dying from the rape and violence. 

It struck me how calmly she said it – it happens all the time. The media just never showcased it, until somehow, this was mentioned.

Yes, we must continue to be shocked at such things. We mustn't let ourselves get desensitised. At the same time, we must know that these things happen all the time. For those of us who have it otherwise, let's not take our freedom for granted. If you want to contribute to making sure less of such cases happen, check out Half The Sky Movement to see how you can help.