Shakti, forced to marry at age 7 and raped by her husband and the police: "I have no dreams"

Violations are a scourge of society India chronic but recent cases of sexual assault unleashed in less than a month have caused an unprecedented outcry in the Asian giant .Mass demonstrations , which began after the death of a young raped on a bus last December, they may pose a new scenario, according to experts of associations and NGOs. Moreover, cases of sexual abuse have also awakened one debate in society about the role of Indian women, the possibility of new protections through regulatory reform and, most difficult to achieve, the need to eradicate (albeit gradually) the sexist and patriarchal mentality in a country where women are most vulnerable. Diana Ros, president and founder of the NGO SOS Women in India, knows the daily suffocation and oppression experienced by Asian women. Its foundation is based in Vrindavan , 150 kilometers from New Delhi, where they attend daily to dozens of victims of abuse and ill-treatment , by psychological and legal support, among others. "We are not striking what is becoming known now through the media.'s Terrible rate of infanticide by sex and rape, in a country where even been banned ultrasound , to slow the rate of homicides abortions in pregnant women and girls, "he says. According to the 2011 census, 1,000 males under 6 are only 914 girls. according to the National Crime Record, in the country there is a rape every 20 minutes . But onlyone in four cases the rapist is convicted. The reasons for this are the "immense corruption" of the security forces and, primarily, the cornerstone of the matter: "The small and ridiculous value that women have in society, "says Ros, who puts another example of undervaluation of women, "the dowry of the bride's family must give to the groom. still common there . " Over 40% of child marriages in the world are in India. In eight states, more than half of women aremarried before age 18 . The president of SOS Women recalls current cases that moved. "Janakee, 17, came to our foundation with terrible signs of having been beaten by her husband for years, in the worst conditions I've seen in a while. She lived in Bengal , north of Calcutta. could no more with his life. had raped dozens of times , beaten and humiliated clock. But something changed. were encouraged to break their silence and their nightmare behind us thanks to our help , "he says. A young had forced to marry at a young age. "When a woman gets married in India, ceases to belong to the family of origin. loses contact with blood relatives. Their new family is that of her husband. Janakee but managed to escape and come to us. now we are family . it had not escaped and called for help, he might have ended up as Amanat , bus girl, "says Ros.

Hell of Shakti

Shakti Mandal is another name for this list . has 19 years and was forced to marry at age 7 with a much older man, about 65 . His story is one of many in India. "Families are married at a very young, to not have to agree on the issue of dowry . " After suffering a hell of abuse and rape, was widowed at age 16. "When this happens, always dressed in white, carried a shaved head , never again to wear jewelry, its shadow will simply bad luck and nobody can approach them. therefore escaped to Vrindavan. Their only escape was to flee to 'city of widows' , as do so many women who come here hoping to find something better ... a place to live in peace ... " Women say in SOS. In India there are40 million widows. In Vrindavan, in particular, live some 15,000 , according to a study by the Development Fund parala UN Women (UNIFEM). "We know that these women are completely abandoned, so they are victims of rape and abuse . came to us because she did not know where to turn, "say the NGOs. After the torments with her ​​husband, Shakti ordeal continued at the police station. When he went to the police report, there was also raped . "It is impossible for anyone to declare in his favor," they say in the NGO. She, meanwhile, said: "I have no dreams. An Indian woman has not been educated to be happy. 's hard to escape this nightmare . "

A change of mind?

Previously, cases like Shakti Janakee and not surprised in a country like India. But now, why thousands of people have decided to speak out after recent attacks on women in a society accustomed to living with a thousand deaths annually honor killings, with frequent female feticide , very little integration of women in the workplace for their family role and practices required as demeaning for widows as the rite of Sati? Mary Duck, president of the Women's Association of Madrid Eleanor Roosevelt , whose international actions are intended to promote equality and freedom for women, youth and children in the world, also knows firsthand the For India and shuffles some assumptions about: "What is now seen is a reaction to the plight of women. born there are male and the higher self. Women are nothing. 're talking about a country where widows should exile the Indus Valley, or are obligabas to immolate themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands. descastadas are stripped of their possessions and driven to live by begging in these cases. " says. According to Duck, "is very positive that people take to the streets to protest what is happening, against the brutal rape cases. anthropological But there arrears. Laws that protect this situation, or association with impunity have triggered the complaint ... There is a glut that has led people get tired of thinking that rapists can escape punishment. You can not cover the sun with his hand. Throughout this has influenced the increased presence of the media in India, "says Duck.

Criminal Code Reform

According to Joseph Giralt, spokesman Vicente Ferrer Foundation, "We have been working for many years in India over the issue of women and the poor. During the last 30 years the cases of violations have increased tenfold. Positives the explosion is popular now has accelerated the reform of the Penal Code to increase penalties " .What is clear for Giralt is that of the 1,200 million people living in India, 300 are under the extreme poverty line. "It is also linked to the problem of violence and violations. Without education it is very difficult to change, " he says. In fact, the sources agree that the new scene of protests against violations in India is explained by socioeconomic status Amanat, raped and murdered the girl on the bus, belonging to the middle class . In the poorest sectors of society such cases are very common, but had no public impact. Esteban Ibarra, president of the NGO Movement against Intolerance, brings another vision: "Do not just stop violations in India. Now these cases scour the world for the highest level of openness of China, through the means of communication. But it requires a cultural revolution , ending the subordination of women. There are components of misogyny. Eradicate contempt for women's wrestling will be the target, a sure way too slow. "