We celebrate different days throughout the year to remind ourselves of important values and responsibilities. International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March, while Equality Day is observed on 26 August. On these occasions, we organise programmes, deliver speeches, hold discussions and speak about women’s rights, equality, dignity and empowerment. We talk about creating opportunities for women and encouraging them to participate in education, employment and public life. But before celebrating these ideas, there is a question that we must honestly ask ourselves: are women really safe?
Safety is the foundation of freedom. A woman cannot fully enjoy her rights if she is constantly afraid of what might happen to her. We can talk about education, employment and empowerment, but these opportunities become difficult to use when a woman has to think repeatedly about her safety before stepping outside her home. Freedom does not simply mean allowing a woman to go outside. It also means creating an environment where she can go to school, college, work, the market or anywhere else without living in constant fear.
When we talk about Kashmir, often described with love and respect as Peer Veer, we think of its beautiful mountains, rivers, traditions and hospitality. Kashmir is also known for its culture and strong social values. Women have always been an important part of Kashmiri families and society. They contribute to education, agriculture, business, government services, healthcare and many other areas. Yet, alongside this progress, concerns about the safety of women continue to disturb us.
Reports of rape and other forms of violence against women are deeply worrying. Recent incidents reported from places such as Baramulla and Bandipora have again raised questions about the safety of women and girls. A few days ago, an incident was also reported from Kishtwar. Each such incident leaves a painful question in the minds of ordinary people: if a woman cannot feel safe in her own surroundings, how can we confidently say that women are safe?
These incidents should not be treated simply as news stories that remain in the headlines for a few days and then disappear. Behind every such incident is a woman or girl whose life may be affected for years. There is a family that suffers. There is fear, pain and uncertainty. The impact of violence can go far beyond the incident itself. It can affect a woman’s confidence, education, career, relationships and willingness to participate in society.
The fear of violence also changes the way women make everyday decisions. A woman may think twice before travelling alone. She may worry about returning home after work. A student may think about whether it is safe to attend classes or coaching outside her locality. A working woman may worry about the road she has to take, the transport she has to use or the time at which she will return home. Sometimes, she may even question whether taking up a job or pursuing higher education is worth the risk.
Imagine the emotional burden of thinking about safety every time you leave home. A woman should be thinking about her studies, her work, her dreams and her future. She should be able to concentrate on becoming independent and contributing to society. Instead, if her mind is occupied with questions such as, “Will I reach safely?”, “Who will be around me?”, “What if something happens?”, then something is wrong with the society around her.
This is why women’s safety cannot be treated as a women’s issue alone. It is a social responsibility. Families, schools, communities, institutions, law-enforcement agencies and the government all have a role to play. Parents should teach children respect, dignity and responsible behaviour from an early age. Schools and colleges should create awareness about gender sensitivity and the importance of treating every person with dignity.
Gender sensitisation is especially important. Boys and girls need to understand that respect is not something that depends on someone’s clothes, profession, age or background. No woman is responsible for the violence committed against her. The responsibility always lies with the person who chooses to commit the crime. Society must stop questioning women about why they went somewhere, why they were alone or why they trusted someone. The first question should be about the actions of the offender.
At the same time, the government must ensure that complaints are taken seriously and that women have confidence in the system. There should be safe public spaces, proper mechanisms for reporting crimes and timely action when complaints are made. Women should know where they can seek help and should feel confident that their concerns will not be ignored.
We also need to create an environment where victims are treated with dignity. Fear of social judgement often makes women and families hesitant to speak about violence. Silence may protect the image of society for a short time, but it does not protect women. Speaking against violence is necessary if we want to prevent it from being repeated.
Our religious and cultural values also teach us the importance of dignity, respect and responsibility. In Islam, women are accorded dignity and honour, and injustice is strongly condemned. Respect for women should therefore not remain limited to speeches, religious gatherings or special occasions. It should be visible in our everyday behaviour, our families and our communities.
The real meaning of women’s empowerment is not simply giving women opportunities. It is also ensuring that they can use those opportunities without fear. A girl should be able to dream of becoming a doctor, teacher, officer, entrepreneur, writer or anything else she chooses. A woman should be able to work, travel and participate in public life without constantly calculating the risks around her.
As we observe Equality Day on 26 August and remember the importance of equality, we should look beyond slogans and celebrations. Equality cannot exist where one section of society has to live with greater fear. Women should not have to ask for permission to feel safe. Safety should be a basic condition of everyday life.
The question “Are women safe?” should therefore not make us uncomfortable. It should make us responsible. Every reported incident should push society to think about what went wrong and what can be done to prevent another woman from becoming a victim.
Kashmir deserves a society where women can walk with confidence, study without fear, work with dignity and return home safely. Celebrating women for one day is easy. Creating a society where women feel safe every day is the real challenge.
So, as we celebrate Women’s Day, Equality Day and other occasions dedicated to rights and dignity, let us ask ourselves the most important question: Are women really safe? If the answer is not a confident “yes”, then our work is far from complete.
The Author is a writer, social educator and researcher from Baramulla, holds a master’s in Gender Studies and a BED.
shoaibhat2018@gmail.com
