A “girl” or “woman” seems to be a very ordinary word but it isn't actually. It carries with it numerous stories, incidents, accidents, and experiences. Every religion speaks of women with huge respect and honour but our actions as humans don't match that same respect.
With just a bit of digging, we immediately see that a large percentage of men harm women, be it abuse, torture, rape, murder, or anything else.
Yet, if we look through history then we can see women were behind every success. But alas, women's protection is a rare sight. Women aren't safe in any part of the world. They're not even safe when they have passed away. Even after death, many women have been raped. They're only safe once they are buried.
Women are not even safe in their own homes, or their birthplaces. So, how can we imagine women to be safe in someone else’s place, whether it be a husband’s house or other places. When a woman goes out for work, she has to think of which road is safer for them, she has to return home early to avoid any kind of “accident,” and she worries every second like she may lose breath at any moment.
Why does a woman feel unsafe? Alas even her family members don't often think of this question, so how can we expect society to take this issue more seriously?
Women feel unsafe due to men who aren't human beings. Their actions suggest they are monsters. It is said in religion that "Men are the protector of women.” But indeed, men are more often destroyers of women.
If all men were taught to show respect and honour women, like how they show it towards their mother, then these incidents would occur far less.
If all men were taught to show respect and honour women, like how they show it towards their mother, then these incidents would occur far less. But the fact is that many families stay blind and think that their child could never do such heinous things. They also think their child has supernatural powers that will make them automatically respect women. They even go as far as to blame other girls or women, or the girl's family. They blame the girl's attire, attitude, dress up, upbringing, and other illogical, baseless things. They never think that if such incidents happened to their family, how would they cope?
Family learning is the thing which could turn these demons human again. If some families could stand by the victim's family and raise their voice against that perpetrator who may be their own kin, then these kinds of incidents might not occur. Other families would get the courage to raise their voice and teach their own children.
But people are much more busy with themselves and think that their child would never do that. This misconception is the root of all kinds of unwanted activities.
Many people might blame society or the country, but I think society and country is formed by the people of every family. If the families are well, then the society and country are bound to become well. But if this problem at the root remains, nothing will change.
Anika Tahsin is a student of BRAC University.