Date: 21st September, 2018
Topic : Issue on Rape
Resource Person : Celine, Vimochana

On September 20, 2018, around 400 students of Sacred HeartCollege for Women participated in a Marmara on Rape. The Marmara was held at the college auditorium and was convened by Mrs. Tabassum of Vimochana, with Dr. Sheela as the resource person from Enfold India.

The students were first introduced to Vimochana and our activities including Marmara and were also invited for ‘BateinAman Ki’, event at Freedom Park on September 27, a campaign that aims to fight back against the targeted attacks on the constitutional rights of women in India.. Dr. Sheela then spoke on rape, including marital rape, of how girls were trapped for sex by their boy friends, uncles and guardians. She also discussed the prevalence of male dominance in spite of men statistics showing that they are only 35% of the total population against the 65% being women and children.

Even though some men agree about women having equal rights, they really don’t care to speak out since it does not affect them in any way. She felt that there was a need to change the mindset of men within the household. Even the terminologies we use seem to be so biased, for example, words like master, doctor, chairman, etc. which sound masculine.

As she advised the girls to stand up and speak for their rights at home and in society, the girls responded by continuously applauding for her.