‘Countries should take cue from Indian protests’

New Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS) Other countries could take a cue from India and follow the manner in which vociferous protests against violence on women have turned into a movement, said Eve Ensler, founder of the One Billion Rising Campaign, here.

“I don’t think of any country or any time when people have protested in such a manner against crime against women. Why are not people in the US doing what people in Delhi are doing? It is just mind blowing,” Ensler said.

Citing the recent Delhi gang-rape, she recalled an incident in the US recently when a group of men gang-raped a woman and urinated over her.

The One Billion Rising Campaign aims to unite people across the globe in fighting violence against women.

Speaking at a press conference here, Ensler said: “The way Indian men have collaborated in this movement has moved me.”

Ensler, also a playwright whose “The Vagina Monologues” has been widely acclaimed, pointed out that flesh trade in the world will flourish better than the trade in drugs as women are considered “reusable”.

“Capitalism is creating an atmosphere for perpetuating brutality on women,” she said.

The American feminist was joined by social activists like Aruna Roy, Mallika Sarabhai, Kalpana Vishwanathan and others.

Social activist Aruna Roy stressed the need to look at the the root causes of violence, and asserted that chemical castration of those convicted of rape would not solve the problem.

“Women have become a commodity because of new economic designs. She is seen (in advertisements) selling liquor. By becoming a commodity, she lures men into becoming beasts,” Roy said.

“Over a million women, children and men from across South Asia and many other countries will participate in the ‘One Billion Rising Campaign’ on Feb 14, 2013,” Kamla Bhasin, South Asia coordinator for the campaign said.

IANS 2013-01-07 20:00:04