India celebrated 75 years of independence on August 15th 2022. And the eleven men convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case walked free that day.
I write this post to make an appeal to all of you my readers, to pray for Bilkis Bano and her family. I ask all of you to keep them in your thoughts for a little while every day. Every moment you can give Bilkis Bano counts.
Exploring Patriarchy Chapter 23 – MM was horrified at the lack of a law on marital rape in India. Read this article by the Times of India – Why Marital Rape Exists In Homes, In Data, But Not In Law. MM had only ever experienced caring and kindness in this aspect of her marriage, but she knew women who hadn’t. Women for who the bedroom was a place to tolerate. To endure. To dread. And to fear.
Exploring Patriarchy Chapter 14 – These women were stuck deep in patriarchy and the power games it allowed them to play – the martyrdom and suffering that gave them bargaining power. Power games that can make sons who are poorly educated, or have less opportunity to find their way, feel small within their home.
Poem: Wake Up – A New Time Is Come
You’re the mother-in-law who couldn’t let go
who spoon-fed your son ‘cos you wanted control.
The daughter-in-law who kept her mouth shut
and they pushed you so low that you couldn’t get up.
If you prod the tigress – you with cruelty on your mind
you who have lost caring and respect for life and come from a family that doesn’t mind…
The above poem is written to highlight different aspects of rape in our society in a general way.
the relaxed housekeeper 