Women fight back - Essay Example

? In ‘Women fight back’, Susan Brownmiller has discussed rape as most heinous crime committed against women across the globe. The violence against women as reflected within rape has been backed by social institutions which are male dominated. The vulnerability of women to the emotional and physio-psychological trauma due to mental and physical torture/ harm, harassment, humiliation, degradation, threat and most importantly sexual exploitation leading to grievous injury, maiming and even death, has been one of the major concern of the author. Brownmiller has traced the history of sexual violence and violence against women. According to her the socio-cultural and religious paradigms are key factors that promote male domination and irrational perception towards the role of women in society. Author also asserts that constitutional and legal parameters of rape against women need to be ‘within the context of modern violence and not within the purview of ancient masculine code, crime retains its unique dimensions’ (52). She has also raised one of the most critical issue within the context of rape. The male perceive rape as violation of the ‘male rights of possession, based on male requirements of virginity, chastity, consent to private access as female bargain in marriage contract’ (52). It is only viewed in horror by men only if their wives or partners are raped by others! This is also one of the most crucial aspects that often serves as major weapon of vendetta as has been proved time and again in wars, inter-personal rivalry or tribal wars of previous era. While constitution defines rape as ‘forcible penetration of vagina by penis, howsoever slight’, author has correctly interpreted it as heterosexual offence which undermines the dignity of women and significantly reduces the enormity of criminal act, carried by other means to degrade women’s sensibilities. The consent by victim has been construed as major element that gives a twisted slant to consensual agreement to sexual act and absolves rapist of the crime. Indeed, rape if proved still draws life sentences and in some states, even capital punishment but convictions have been few. The narrow definition of rape within the law has been responsible for low rate of reporting and even lower rate of conviction as violence against women’s body can be construed or perceived differently by the society and lawmen. The gender equality was not an option in the olden times. The gender biases, enforced by the patriarchal society and supported by cultural and religious dictums, have not only tried to confine women’s independence but they encourage men to create social environment that smother their potential and creativity. In short, religious guideline and cultural compulsions do not allow women equality and force them into subordinate roles so they are easy to subject to violence and rape. The sanctity of rape within marriage by religion is horrendous in concept. Brownmiller has quoted Deuteronomy in Bible which says that woman’s hands should be cut off if she catches hold of men’s genitals in her hand even if the act is done to protect man when two men are fighting. Indeed, unequal distribution of wealth, power and privileges between the genders, have been important reasons to ensure women’s subjugation to men’s will. Woman’s body has remained main focus of exploitation and is seen as ‘commodity or thing’ to be enjoyed by men. Pornography and prostitution have therefore evolved as means to satisfy the carnal desires of men without actually resorting to force within or outside the marriage. The article is succinct in its abhorrence of prostitution as it reinforces male mentality that it can gain access to female body through monetary transactions. Legalization of prostitution is no guarantee that violence against women can be contained or eliminated. In fact many scholars believe that prostitution is actually started as only means of earning by persons who have been sexually abused in childhood (Belton, 1992; Simons & Whitbeck, 1991). At the same time, it is believed that sexual and other types of violent acts against female body are more frequent within prostitution (Dworkin, 1997; Silbert & Pines, 1982). Hence, prostitution, per se must be actively discouraged within society and legal reforms to that effect must be enacted to reinstate the dignity of women in society, especially that of rape victims. One of the highly pertinent points raised by Brownmiller was that the feminist movement was largely conceived as empowering women so that they can fight for their equal rights and for making decisions that affect them in totality. It brought into focus that women ‘can organize themselves’ against rape and violence in a formidable manner so that society has to take recognize their rights and viewpoints and take due actions. This was a gigantic step that significantly altered perception to women in the late twentieth century. The legislative reforms and action groups that create awareness of women’s rights and promote social order that is based on empowerment and equality have increasingly brought more facilitating changes. The author’s asserts that fighting back on multiplicity of issues on many levels based on gender are critical paradigms for contemporary society. Though writer seems to have gone a little too far when she says that men’s sexual tool can be used as major target of destruction to promote emancipation of women, but new values must promote the concept that it is non masculine to use violence against women in any form. Proactive participation of men and women must be encouraged to sort out gender differences and allow new approaches to evolve new sexual norms and behaviour that promote gender equality. Indeed, one must agree with author though rape has history but we must deny it a future. Reference Brownmiller, Susan. () Women Fight Back. 51-64. Belton, R. (1992) Prostitution as Traumatic Reenactment. 8th Annual Meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Los Angeles, Ca. October 22. Dworkin, A. (1997) Prostitution and male supremacy. From Life and Death. Free Press: New York. Silbert, M.H. & Pines, A.M. (1982) Victimization of street prostitutes. Victimology, 7 (1-4): 122-133. Simons, R. L., & Whitbeck, L. B. (1991). Sexual abuse as a precursor to prostitution and victimization among adolescent and adult homeless women. Journal of Family Issues, 12: 361-379. Read More