Content Advisory: This article contains material that may be distressing to individuals who have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has been affected by it. Reader discretion is advised.

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The pain she went through was unimaginable. While she was still alive, her pelvic bone was broken. Glass was forced into her eyes, leaving them shattered. Blood poured from her mouth and eyes. Her belly and left leg were badly injured, and her right hand's ring finger was broken. Her private parts were brutally harmed and bleeding, with dark bruises covering her body. Inside her, 150ml of semen was found, a horrifying reminder of the violence she faced. It’s more than any one person should ever have to endure.

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How did you feel reading about her suffering? Sad? Angry? It’s tough to find the right words, isn’t it? What you just read isn’t just an autopsy report-it’s the story of a life brutally stolen, a future violently erased. This was a young woman who once dreamed of becoming a doctor, of saving lives. But instead, her life was cut short in the most horrifying way. This isn’t just some distant tragedy; it’s a harsh reality we’re all part of. Her pain, her loss, is a reminder that we live in a world where such nightmares can and do happen. We can’t just look away and pretend it doesn’t exist. We need to remember her, to feel her pain, and to ask ourselves: What can we do to make sure no one else ever has to suffer like this again?

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In the heart of India, where history is rich and culture is vibrant, a deep and troubling wound festers-a wound caused by the escalating violence against women. Every 16 minutes, a woman in India is raped. This staggering statistic is not just a number; it’s a brutal reality that we should never accept. For countless women, this fear has become an unwelcome companion in their daily lives. Imagine living with the constant dread that walking home at night might mean never arriving at all. Tragically, this fear became a devastating reality for a young doctor in Kolkata, whose untimely death sparked nationwide protests.

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Despite laws crafted to protect women, justice in India often arrives too late or not at all. Even with legal reforms introduced after the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape, violence against women continues to be a pervasive issue. The real challenge extends beyond the laws themselves; it lies in a deeply ingrained mindset that devalues women. This patriarchal view, which sees women as less significant than men, must be confronted and transformed. Until this shift in thinking happens, no amount of legislation will be enough to truly protect women.

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One important thing people often overlook is that 'No' really means 'No.' In the movie Pink, Amitabh Bachchan's character makes this clear. He says:

‘’No. No, Your Honor. "No" isn't just a word; it's a complete sentence. It doesn't need any further explanation. "No" simply means "no." My clients said "No," Your Honor, and these boys must realise that "no" means "no," whether the girl is an acquaintance, a friend, a girlfriend, a sex worker, or even your own wife. No means no, and when someone says so, you stop.’’

Even though this message was delivered eight years ago in the movie, many people have forgotten it. This shows how much our society still needs to change.

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There’s a troubling argument that often surfaces: that a woman’s clothing might provoke rape, as if her attire somehow invites such violence. But consider the tragic story of Seya Sadewmi, a young girl in a simple frock who was abducted, raped, and murdered. Her clothing was far from revealing. When we look at most rape cases, many victims were dressed in what society deems “appropriate” attire. So, what’s the solution? Should women be forced to cover themselves from head to toe just to avoid being targeted? Should they live in perpetual fear of expressing themselves through their clothing? It seems that if a girl wears less, she’s accused of provoking men, and if she covers up, it only fuels their curiosity about what’s underneath. Women are caught in an impossible situation, as this poem powerfully illustrates.

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"Was it really my fault?" asked the Short Skirt.

"No, it happened with me too," replied the Burka.

The diaper in the corner couldn't even speak.

Darshan Mondkar

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In the controversial documentary India's Daughter, which examines the harrowing "Nirbhaya" case from 2012, we encounter disturbing justifications like, "You can’t clap with one hand. It takes two hands to clap." Such statements suggest that "a decent girl won’t roam around at 9 o’clock at night" and even imply that a girl is "far more responsible for rape than a boy." This mindset shockingly implies that if a woman is assaulted, it's somehow her fault, much like assuming someone who is robbed must have been wealthy. Isn’t it outrageous to blame the victim for the crime committed against them? Shouldn’t we, as a society, confront and challenge this harmful logic that wrongly shifts responsibility onto the victim rather than holding the perpetrator accountable? Ask yourself-does this distorted reasoning truly make sense, or does it merely divert attention from the real issue: preventing violence against women?

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Another concerning issue that demands attention is the disturbing reflection of society through internet search trends following the tragic death of the doctor in India. The most searched term on Google? 'Moumita sex leak video.' Shockingly, Sri Lanka ranked second in this unsettling search trend. This is not an isolated incident—Sri Lanka has consistently held the dubious distinction of being the top country globally for searching the word 'sex' on Google. This obsession reveals a troubling reality in South Asia, where the internet exposes the objectification of women. Rather than seeking justice or empathising with the suffering of these women, many are more focused on treating them as objects of curiosity and desire. This fixation, coupled with a mindset that dehumanises women, perpetuates the culture of violence we are striving to combat. It serves as a harsh reminder that until we confront these issues head-on, we will continue to live in a world where women are seen not as individuals with rights and dignity, but as mere objects to be exploited and discarded.

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It’s time to stop making excuses. Enough is enough. We need to raise our sons with the same care and urgency that we extend to our daughters. It’s crucial to teach them that respect for women is non-negotiable, that "No" unequivocally means "No," and that a woman's choice of clothing never justifies violence. True change starts at home, in how we shape the minds of the next generation. We must instill in them that women are equals, deserving of dignity and safety. Imagine a future where women can walk alone at night without fear, where their choices are respected, and where the blame for violence falls on the perpetrators, not the victims. This isn’t about proving that "not all men" are guilty or distancing ourselves from the actions of others; it’s about fostering a culture of respect and accountability.

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Silence and inaction only make the problem worse. Your support can truly make a difference. Stand with women, amplify their voices, and challenge a culture that has long excused and ignored violence. Together, we can build a world where every woman is safe, respected, and free. The time for change is now, and it starts with us. We must ensure that men understand their worth lies not in domination but in respecting and supporting women. Every action we take today will shape the world our daughters inherit. Let’s create a world where women enjoy the same rights as men—where they are not just surviving but thriving. It’s not just about protecting your daughter but about educating the men who will shape her world.