Page 20 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 92 | MAY 2018

20 ON THE RADAR Where health comes first

Asifa Bano

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Patanjali’s Herbal

With India’s sexual assault cases at an all-time

high, what can we do as global Indians to help

protect women and girls? Bath Soaps

BY ASHIMA SETHI
Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved

Limited’s new products maintain the
Protests erupt
commitment to serving people’s wellness.
across India

On January 17th, the body of Asifa Bano was found dumped in a forest near Kathua,
a city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. What followed was a four-month- Patanjali Ayurved, the world’s largest Ayurvedic business
long police investigation that brought forward disturbing evidence confi rming that
the young girl was violently kidnapped, starved, drugged and gang-raped repeatedly selling herbal products, have rolled out a range
over the course of one week, before she was brutally murdered. This girl was only THE INDIA bath soaps that are suitable for all types of skin.
eight years old.
When news spread, it rocked the nation and shocked the world, leading to mass
public protests, adding pressure on government offi cials to establish new laws that WOMANIFESTO
would punish the guilty and protect the innocent. Many Bollywood heavy-hitters
also joined in on the chorus of protests, voicing their anger and shame through
online portals.
Actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted, “how many more children will have to suff er
unimaginable crimes before we wake up? I’m disgusted. It’s time for swift action. We
owe it to Asifa and to humanity.” Preity Zinta also chimed in saying, “children are EDUCATE FOR EQUALITY
getting raped and killed all over the country and no one seems to care. Where’s the Implement comprehensive long-term public education programmes to end the
law and where is God?” Tamil cinema star Kamal Haasan released a heartbreaking culture of gender-based discrimination.
statement asking, “does it have to be your own daughter for you to understand? She MAKE LAWS COUNT
could’ve been mine. I feel angry as a man, father and citizen for failing Asifa. I am Ensure government agencies implement new laws to end violence against women.
sorry my child. We didn’t make this country safe enough for you.” Work with state governments to provide services for women who are victims, set
The international media coverage up 24-hour crisis centres, off er safe shelters for unsupervised children, implement
is similar to another brutal assault that improved sexual health services and so on. Increase the number of court judges to
occurred in 2012, when 23-year-old establish effi cient penalty systems.
physiotherapy intern Jyoti Singh was
gang-raped and murdered while travelling PUT WOMEN IN POWER
on a bus in South Delhi. As an Indian Ensure women are represented in all councils, committees and task forces related
woman myself, it is painful to realise that to policy development. Adopt a Code of Conduct to disqualify electoral candidates
in the past six years between these two who have committed gender-related off ences.
heinous crimes, there has also been tens of POLICE FOR THE PEOPLE
thousands of unreported atrocities against Establish and enforce a comprehensive response protocol for crimes against
women, and despite all the suff ering, women. Ensure police and prosecutorial recruitment is made based on the correct
almost nothing has changed. Jyoti Singh attitudes about gender equality. Establish crisis response teams in rural areas.
As of 2016, it was recorded that the number of rapes in India had increased by SWIFT, CERTAIN JUSTICE
60 percent compared to 2012, with an estimated 40,000 cases per year in which 40 Support amendments to laws that perpetuate violence against women, and make
percent involved children. Equally shocking is the undercurrent of sexual violence sure that the rape of any person is considered criminal, despite age, religion, caste,
also present in Thailand, with an estimated 31,000 annual cases. Women all around disability and so on.
the world are suff ering at the hands of individuals who have no business touching Enriched with different natural ingredients including
their bodies in the fi rst place. It will require a change in mindset and policy to truly ECONOMIC FLOURISHING
make a diff erence. Ensure secure, dignifi ed, fuller’s earth clay, neem, aloe vera, turmeric, sandalwood,
As the Asifa case shines a glaring light on the sexual assault epidemic currently remunerative employment rose and other herbs, the soaps are a perfect blend of
choking our beloved motherland, the question is when will enough be enough? for women. Craft action 40 percent coconut oil and vegetable oil, created to
What can we do as global Indians to protect women from such cruel violence? plans to secure accelerated
Social issues are a matter of transparency, and as long as the problems are talked quality education for girls, protect your skin, provide natural sooness and reduce
about, they cannot be ignored. A wave of global petitions has taken the internet by devise schemes to ensure the chemical burden your body is carrying.
storm, including the hashtag #JusticeforAsifa, which aims to ensure that the case is women achieve equal property
not swiftly forgotten by authorities. In addition, other campaigns like #MeToo have rights and fair shares through
done their part on imposing an iron grip over male-dominated industries, such as marriage, and create plans
Hollywood, because although Western countries are viewed as more gender equal, for equal pay for equal work
there are still discrepancies that put all women in vulnerable positions. As global across all sectors. Also make
women, we can lend our voices to these petitions to take a stand. sure women have access to safe
Another campaign all Indians can support comes from online activism network public transport in all areas.
Avaaz, that released a document titled, “India Womanifesto”, which lists long-term Address: Indian Emporium (Ground Floor - Outer Zone - Parking Lane)
goals that can end the generation-deep violence and suppression faced by millions For more information on how to contribute to advancing the
of women and girls. A summary of the manifesto is as follows: ‘India Womanifesto’, visit www.avaaz.org. No. 561 Room C 106, Chakraphek Road, Phahurat, Wangburapha Phranakorn, Bangkok, 10600 Thailand.
Call 083 198 0111 or 081 726 0290
MAS AL A LITE ISSUE 9 2 MAY 2 018