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"My Choice!" Is it really that simple?

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Video source: My Choice                                                           Video source: My Choice - Male Version

 Considering that both these videos are now going viral, I could not stop myself from commenting. The videos are above in case you may not have viewed one or the other or both.

 Gender equity and equality does not mean pitching one gender against another and invisibilising other gender identities that don't fit in this norm. However, what I wonder is why the furor or the necessity to counter what women say especially when they want to make a choice, or claim their rights.

Why the inherent need to question their intent, or their existence or blame them for their clothes if they face sexual harassment or have been raped? Why ask her to keep experiences of harassment, abuse and violence under cover… for family honour?

Who carries on the family name, while she apparently tarnishes it by being 'loose', having been 'violated'? Who is required for the last rites and every other religious rite and ceremony, while she apparently pollutes these places, ceremonies, rituals etc… by her mere presence, worse still if she is menstruating? Refer to the shame about women menstruating such that a social media site found it offensive enough to pull it down.

Who is the person sexually, harassing, abusing and being violent towards women on the streets and in homes, while she is being asked to stay indoors to protect herself and her family's honour?

Since when did men in our patriarchal society not have the privileges that women were denied? Yes, both videos maybe making a point and the first maybe perceived as biased towards women. So, what is it that calls for the need for countering the voices of women who ask for their rights over their own bodies, life and choices? Last I checked we still live in a patriarchal and heteronormative society where women are judged differently for the same set of things than men. And for people who don't conform to these 'normal' identities of men and women, their experiences and existence don't even feature in most conversations. So, it is a good thing that this video has been made :)



I am not even commenting on the marriage bit, because that is for another post that will follow.

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