US Nobel laureate Jody Williams, who’s been an activist since the Vietnam War, has blamed the caste system and bubbles of poverty as the prime causes of violence against women in India. In a freewheeling chat with Karan Bhardwaj, she criticises America for investing citizens’ money in wars and reasons why some advances made by women are being perceived as a threat in traditional societies and how establishments use ‘rapes’ as a tool during conflicts
She’s known as a firebrand who is persistently involved in mobilising people’s strength and uniting them against the adversities created in the backdrop of power and politics. Yet the infectious smile on her face, no matter she calls herself as an ‘optimistic pessimist’, keeps her strong to face this unending and complex battle. US’ Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams, a staunch human rights activist, who has been fighting in favour of humanity since Veitnam War (1954-75) embraces soft and polite personality but her deep baritone and the intensity in her dialogue express deep concerns and disappointment. “We are in a total mess. If we do not mend our ways and exercise intelligent choices, we will become the first specie on this planet to extinct itself,” she lamented.
Well-known for her work in banning anti-personnel landmines, her defense of human rights — especially those of women — and her efforts to promote new understandings of security in today’s world, Williams was honoured with Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. However, the shift in the century only urged the activist to assume more responsibilities. Here to take part in a discussion on violence against women, organised by the international human rights group Breakthrough, she felt disgusted about the fact that the crime against women is breaking new records in modern society. “Many cultures believe that women are not worth as much as men. Many social situations make men believe they can treat women in any way they want. While some keep them deprived of education, others shun their property rights. In a nutshell, there are multiple issues in different societies,” she said.
Having said that she believed that there could be a shift in public conscience as a result of constant aggressive efforts. “There’s was a huge summit by Angelina Jolie and William Hague, foreign secretary of UK in summers this year on ending rape in war, calling for an end to the ‘culture of impunity’ and more prosecutions. The outcome of the initiative somewhere made me believe that things are moving in positive direction. However, one of the biggest challenges in this battle is to include men’s organisations in such initiatives. Men, who are not part of violence against women, tend to keep mum. I want to tell them that their silence only defend the offenders,” she said. Williams also questioned the attitude that allows perpetrators to walk away with impunity but further torture the rape victim. “It’s important to shift the spotlight from the rape victim to the rapist. All over the world, women are questioned for the way they dress, talk or walk. We need to crack down on this stupid attitude,” she said. The activist was shocked to hear about December 16 gangrape that took place in Capital in 2012. In India, she blamed the “caste system, great bubbles of poverty, unequal distribution of wealth, lack of education and opportunities” to make it really tough for women to come up. “When a family is living in financial stress, the patriarch tends to vent out on family and women. They only become the victims,” she said. Every day, 92 women are raped in India, according to India’s National Crime Bureau, while rates of rape are at a record high in Delhi. A recent survey by Breakthrough of women in six Indian states shows that 91 per cent of women and girls in India face sexual harassment in their lifetime.
According to the activist, women have made some advances which have become threatening to traditional structures of many cultures, where a man holds the authority. Talking about her experiences, she shared, “I led a delegation to Mexico and the violence against women there is horrific. Women and human rights defenders are under constant threat. If you do not shut up, you will be killed.”
Williams, who is co-chair of the International Campaign to stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict, also lambasted militaries and establishments that target women during the wars. “Rape has been used a tactical for a long time. In last two decades, it has become more horrific. Soldiers are ordered to rape women because in traditional societies, where women are less important, men tend to disown the raped wives. And when a woman is abandoned, it affects the whole family. So if you rape enough women in an ethnic community, you destroy the basic fabric of the community. In the Bosnia war in the 90s, the violence had assumed a gender-targeted form, with the Army of the Republika Srpska (VRS) carrying out a policy of genocidal rape against the Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) ethnic group. Estimates of the total number of women raped during the war range from 12,000 to 50,000. Similar weapons were used in turf war by Sudan government or eastern Burma. It’s a cheap way to affect the society,” she shared as she ran high on emotions. “It makes me angry,” she added.
Williams has also criticised US for waging wars since time immemorial. “America has been at warfront since its discovery. There’s a not a year when we are involved in something that’s not instigated by the system. Over 55 per cent of our disposable income goes to war. I find it disgusting,” she said. After the summit, the activist flew to Dharamshala for a three-day visit.