Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif says women should not silently face atrocities against them.
“I know of educated women, who remain silent in the face of violence, because they are afraid to confront societal norms and have fingers pointed in their direction. Specially when the majority of our society fails to recognise martial rape as a crime,” Kaif said.
“I would urge more women to speak up. It is not OK to feel inferior or weak, because we are not the weaker sex by any stretch of imagination,” she added.
The 33-year-old actress was speaking at the ‘WeUnite’ conference, which marks United Nations’ (UN’s) Women’s partnership with IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“The world has largely been led by patriarchal societies and women have, through the years, largely remained quiet in the face of atrocities rather than speak out against them,” the actress said.
Kaif said it is sad to know that there is gender inequality in a country that had a women as the head of the state.
“India had a woman as the head of state, way before the United kingdom, a feat United States of America has not managed to achieve as of yet. Which is why it is surprising to hear about gender inequality in India. And sadly we do,” she said.
“On a daily basis there are shocking stories about the violent crimes made against women. Yet, I can only imagine how many other crimes against women in India go unreported,” the actress added.
Kaif, however, says this is not an India-specific problem and quoted a UN report saying this is happening everywhere.
“In India, according to the data provided by the national crime records bureau, in 2001 the reported crimes against women were 1,43,795. In 2005, it [was] 3,27,394. [That’s a] more than a 100 per cent [increase] in numbers.
“However I would like to believe that this increase in numbers is not an increase in crime against women. It is in increase in number of women who are ready to come forward and reporting them.”
