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All our lives we have been defined by others. Our body, sexuality, thought and speech defined by patriarchal conditioning. Our entity dispossessed in the name of community honour.
We cannot say we have been raped, for rape has specific definitions…and rape within marriage is not rape
We cannot say we have been raped, for we will be the first to be questioned
We cannot say we have been raped, for boys will be boys…it is our fault if he finds us appealing
We cannot say we have been raped, for the cause, effect and blame of rape is all thrown on us
We cannot say we have been raped, for our voices have been silenced
We cannot say we have been raped, for we have no right!
Violence against women has increasingly taken a hideous turn. Today domestic violence and sexual harassment at the work place has become an everyday scenario. But this violence is not just limited to the physical. Mental harrasment has become equally life threatening for many women. Even traditional forms of violence against women such as female infanticide are being continued. Misuse of technology such as ultra sonography has resulted in violations like female foeticide. It has been found that more and more women are being pushed into the unorganized sector, which leaves them vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation. Trafficking of women and girl children into sex trade and sex tourism are the direct consequence of such feminization of poverty.
Clearly, one half of the human race has suffered and continues to suffer much injustice. But this cannot endure for long and we must not be passive in face of such violation.
It is time for us to become conscious of our rights. It is time to reach for our rights. We need to break down attitudes that separate and control us. Our rights - economic,social,political and human, are ours. They are inseparable from our being and we must take them back.
As a mark of our solidarity and collective endeavour to reclaim our rights as women, women’s organizations from all over the world have decided to come together to voice the significance of women’s rights, symbolized by an 88-day campaign, starting on the 10th of December 2005 and ending on the 7th of March 2006
We request every person who relates to the feeling of being discriminated, violated or disrespected for just being who they are, to participate in this campaign.
To facilitate your participation and support, please contribute one unit of your currency on every single day of the 88 days of this campaign, that is , from 10th Dec 2005 to 7th March 2006.
The funds raised will be directed towards legal training for women's groups in the slum areas of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India on dowry,sexual harassment and domestic violence.
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