We live in a strange world, may I dare to say! Sadly, people still believe that women are responsible for their safety in this society. Recent news on a security guard raping and murdering a young 18-year-old hosteller in a city like Mumbai has shaken me so much that it urged me to write about it. I am not a reporter or a journalist to write news here; rather an adult woman who is petrified and sickened with such instances constantly occurring in a democratic, free nation like India! 

Instead of warning and taking strict actions against the “security” of the hostel, the typical mentality of the hostel warden made her restrict the girls even more. From barring them from going out at night to reducing the ‘in-time’ for the girls, all actions were taken against them to “protect” them. How is it even fair? Someone else is misusing their position and behaving horribly, yet no one says a word – until it’s too late! Are girls responsible for their own safety, or are they free enough to survive in this so-called “man’s world” fearlessly? The concern here is, how long will we allow this to happen? How long will we hold the victim responsible for someone else’s hideous actions? Is there a time we change how we perceive the whole scenario? Ponder so that we can make a difference! 

This is just one instance where – there are many more girl children wearing frocks and women wearing burkas and sarees being raped and molested in our country and the world. Women are not safe anywhere – WHY is the question? 

Is it better to be safe than sorry or create a world where one need not worry about being “safe”? Is it better to deprive women of their freedom or allow them to shine bright and live without fear of dark streets? Honestly, it is always better to acknowledge the real issue and hold the person violating the basic human right of feeling simply ‘human’! Women are no different than men, and they need not fear for their safety. May we someday make this world a much better place for women! Amen to that! 

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