UNiTE! Activism to end Violence against Women and Girls! 🧡

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The premise of the day is to raise awareness around the world that women are subjected to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence; furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. Women Cell of GCTE Thycaud decided to observe the day, offer an insight into the issue and initiate a discussion amongst the student teachers regarding the same.

All the student teachers and teachers were given orange ribbons and badges with various quotes, thoughts and slogans written on them as part of the programme. Some of them were 'feminism is the radical notion that women are equal', 'enough is enough', 'and here you are living despite it all' etc.On the International day for the elimination of violence against women, the color orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.

Bhagya Murali presented the theme of the day, details of the #OrangetheWorld campaign and the significance of observing such a day. Sibana S recited a poem written by herself that revolved around a situation we all had encountered in our life in our households, how the boy child always has the superior say through the analogy of a fight over the remote. Revathy B.R presented the statistical data regarding the violence against women which justified the graveness of the situation.

I delivered my thoughts on rape culture which I felt was a necessary topic to be talked about. Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety. Through examples drawn from popular culture and our daily life, I conveyed how deep rooted this patriarchal construct is in our society.

Keerthana Anil, Abhirami S, Mary Antony and Sheena Elizabeth expressed their reflections and experiences related to the topics discussed and the programme ended on an optimistic note that we need to resist the violence against women and work towards ensuring their rights. An oath declaring the same was taken.