A BATTLE THAT NEVER ENDS

History has marked some of the best battles fought between the greatest emperors of all times. To cite few examples we can mention the battles of Panipat, Buxar, Waterloo, Plassey, all fought to affix their name and power in the new territory earned in the name of war. A battle once started has a definite ending which comprehends the dire consequences that will follow. These battles are most remembered for the thumping victory that re-writes history, an army filled with braveness, massive bloodshed, tearful eyes over corpses etc. As the generations pass-by, the closed bottle of reality that ancestors faced during war time, opens to drain itself of its horrors so much so that the lives are lead in a free and comfortable zone.

But the only battle that hasn't ceased to exist right from the stone age till date, has been the record breaking forms of violence inflicted upon a woman between the four walls of her room. In every walk of her life she is left to battle the horrendous forms of violence as in "female genital mutilation, rape, domestic violence, honor killings, breast ironing, acid throwing, sexual violence, women trafficking" and many more to continue.

Female genital mutilation or in crude words called female circumcision is a tradition that is followed in many families wherein the female genitalia is removed to reduce the sexual feelings which saves one from pre-marriage pregnancy. This procedure is done by the family members themselves using indigenous tools. Lack of an experienced hand in doing the procedure harms the sexual interests of the women even after marriage since it becomes a painful and bloody intercourse and also it leads to complications during pregnancy. In spite of so many limitations and concerns this practice is still followed in many middle east countries. Also many of us wouldn't have come across the practice called breast ironing wherein the girls breasts are ironed using hot objects to reduce its maturity which is claimed to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy. This happens in many African countries with the highest proportion in Cameroon. Women trafficking is the most condemned act of violence where women are traded for either domestic or sexual slavery. A woman who comes under this network of trafficking finds it difficult to escape its clutches where she is not even given the freedom to commit suicide to save her sanctity. One may think that its only the physical being of a woman targeted but this has a direct impact on her psychological feelings such that it results in depression and escapades like drugs, alcohol etc. Now there cant be any turn around for a woman and has to necessarily end her life within this circle.

Many acts are mostly committed by men for just fulfilling their sexual desire that doesn't even hold up to a night but holds the remaining life of the women. Its the most disgraceful form of act committed with absolutely no remorse on their part. As far as love marriages are concerned the couple turn to their parents for the greatest support ever, but they in turn reward them by either burning them alive or mental torture for the rest of their life by not accepting their chosen partner. Hence the name honor killings emerge. Anywhere and everywhere its the women that have to face all problems. Time and again the only factor that one can realize is that in spite of undergoing all these hardships they will be the first person to stand for support if anything happens to their loved ones. They still live till the end to protect their loved ones. Just because of this u find that cases of domestic violence never come out in light. If it was the other way round where the men were left to battle out all these, they wouldn't survive the day to face the world the next day. As it is, the sex ratio is alarming as girls are not welcomed for many reasons. The problems in the grass root levels can be wiped away only if a messiah is born in every household. Only then can we proudly say that women are really becoming empowered. 

Written By: Sudha Sankar

Disclaimer: Article is purely the view of the writer and the blog owner shares no opinion in support or against the same.