THE POWER OF ONE: HOW INDIAN WOMEN HAVE ASSEMBLED INTO A RED BRIGADE TO STOP ABUSE

 

photo: GuardianUK

India has been considered for a long time the worse place to be a woman.  The unfortunate cultural habit of dowry, which still persists although a law has banned it, has put women in a place where no one should be.  They are considered a burden at best, a damnation at worse.

The news in India are rife with tidbits on infanticide of girls or abuse of women.  Horrific stories of rape have recently not only shined the spotlight on one of the country's ugliest secrets, but gained world wide, and unwanted, attention.  

From such tragedy has now come an initiative which could shake the very foundation of India.  

For the first time, women have assembled in 'red brigades', groups brilliantly attired in red, who scour the streets in Lucknow as a warning to anyone who thinks of abusing women.

Empowerment is a big word.  One that Indian women of lesser means have never been acquainted with.  But this is a new dawn.  And women are tired of the abuse, and tired of the incredible stain it bestows on their beautiful country too.

The 'red brigade' has already shown its muscle.  In Lucknow, recently, a man taunted the brightly attired women, only to find himself bound, tossed in the air and beaten.  First the women used their fists, then they took off their shoes and pelted the man with it. 

The erstwhile group is not new, it was founded in 2011.  But after the gruesome rape case in New Delhi, they have gained in confidence, and their numbers have grown.  From 15 initial member, the 'female posse' now is close to 100 members.  

They administer their punishment in a fair and equitable way.  If they hear of a case of  mistreatment, they go and warn the man who has done it and tell him that if he dares do it again, they will be back and punish him severely.  

Part of the reason the group formed was because many of the girls were told not to go to school, to avoid been victimized or raped.  But the leader of the group decided that would not do: "we decided to form a group to fight for ourselves."

They do have their work cut out for them.  In many ways the traditions of India lend themselves to female abuse, because men think that women are objects and their religion often reinforces the stereotype by showing women as helpless and weak.

The leader of the Red Brigade says that the media does not help in that regard: "In the electronic era there are pictures everywhere of women and girls being treated like objects."  

This kind of vigilante justice might seem strident to some in the Western world, but one only has to look at the dismal numbers of abuse and violence against women to realize that this might just be the cure the doctor ordered.  Reports of molestation in Delhi are up 590% from last year, and rape reports are up 147%. In fact almost every member of the group has been a victim of violence or attempted violence.  "This is what happens in India, these things happen all the time. ...This is why we have formed the red brigade." says one of the group.

Unfortunately many of the group's members do not have the support of their parents, and many of them have to fight just to get out of the house and join their comrades.  But they are so far undaunted and hopeful and active.

Source: The Guardian UK  4.6.13