That 35 per cent of women experience some abuse or the other in their lifetime is indeed alarming (“ >A home-grown epidemic ,” July 2). Agreed, we need a paradigm shift in the age-old cultural attitude which gives the man of the family an upper hand, as women have shown that they are second to none. But how is one to change the patriarchal attitude of our so-called educated urban class of men? The abuse of women is common in cities too. If education is necessary to change the thinking of rural societies, what is it that can change the thinking of educated men?
Bal Govind,
Noida
The statistics are alarming, disturbing and disquieting. That home — the safest and most protected place for women — can turn into a torture chamber is petrifying. It is unfortunate that the voice of women is muzzled systematically. Most of the victims of domestic violence do not expose the ‘culprits’ as they fear a social backlash and loss of dignity and self-esteem. To end discrimination against women, men must undergo a positive attitudinal change.
R. Sampath,
Chennai
Read the newspaper carefully and you will find news of women being ill treated every day. In India, women are still considered a liability. What is truly appalling is that we need law-enforcers to ensure that women enjoy their rights — even that takes a lifetime.
Ashwani Gupta,
Gurgaon
