Learn East

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson, Rekha Sharma on July 8 maintained that women are safer in the North Eastern states than in other parts of the country. She said this on the sidelines of regional capacity building workshop promoting entrepreneurship among women of NER on non-timber forest produce in Shillong, Meghalaya. The NCW chairperson’s remarks indicate that women experience greater safety in the North East due to a deeply ingrained culture of respect that starts at home and permeates schools and institutions. In this region, particularly in the hill states, catcalling and other vulgar comments directed at girls and women are exceptionally rare. This rarity reflects the tribal society’s high regard for women and its cultural disdain for such disrespectful behavior. In the north east, the respect for women is not merely a societal norm but a foundational principle that influences everyday interactions. The emphasis on dignity and honor for women is taught from a young age, ensuring that boys and girls grow up with a mutual understanding of respect. This respectful culture extends into schools and institutions, creating environments where women feel valued and safe. The tribal communities in the hill states exemplify this respect through their actions and attitudes. The societal structure and customs inherently protect women from the demeaning behaviours often observed elsewhere. This high regard for women is not only a reflection of their cultural values but also a practical aspect of their daily lives, ensuring that women can move freely and confidently in their surroundings. It is noteworthy that, despite the predominantly male-dominated or patrilineal nature of tribal society, women enjoy significant protective rights concerning their safety and well-being. These rights ensure that, even within a patriarchal framework, women are safeguarded and respected, highlighting the community’s commitment to their protection. This balance between traditional societal structures and the provision of protective rights underscores the unique cultural values that prioritize women’s security and dignity. The North East’s unique cultural framework, which prioritizes respect for women from the household to public institutions, creates a safer and more respectful environment for women. The rarity of disrespectful behaviour towards women in the hill states is a testament to the high regard in which they are held within tribal society. In comparison, despite centuries of cultural refinement in mainland India, significant issues regarding women’s rights persist, extending well beyond matters of inheritance or dowry. One of the most pervasive offenses driving countless women to despair is eve teasing. This term is a severe understatement of the reality, as eve teasing is far from harmless banter or playful winking. Eve teasing is not about making “Eve” laugh or smile; it is not light-hearted or humorous. Rather, it is a form of harassment that inflicts profound psychological and emotional distress. These actions are not microaggressions but macroaggressions-blatant acts of violence and assault that undermine women’s sense of safety and dignity. In many parts of mainland India, women face daily challenges in public spaces due to this persistent harassment. Eve teasing involves unwelcome comments, physical advances, and other forms of intimidation that make women feel vulnerable and unsafe. In some cases, eve teasing often leads to rapes. The pervasive nature of this behaviour reflects deep-seated societal issues that need urgent attention and redress. Laws making eve teasing and molestation an offence cannot work unless there is gender sensitivity across society.