There are lots of arguments linking the genesis of sexual abuse or assaults to the inherent gender inequality in a society. The standing hypothesis is that the sex that is economically and socially powerful, controls the fate of the other sex, and over-exercises its liberties to violate members of the opposite sex. The opposite sex, physically weaker, and socially helpless, succumbs and bears the injustice without recompense.
The cause is present in India. Women are economically weaker, the society being patriarchal, also favors men. The effect is present in India too. The incidence of sexual assaults is very high, unmeasured, and probably higher than estimated. Does that mean that the hypothesis holds true? A lot of campaigns, statements, speeches in India center around shifting this social and economic power base, making it more equal, and hence solving the very core of the issue. Addressing the cause, and not the symptoms.
I'm not convinced that the hypothesis is true. What are the examples of other cultures where sexual assaults against women declined with increasing economic and social empowerment? Actually, what are the examples of cultures where social power was shifted at all?
I have an example that contradicts the hypothesis. The US does not have the cause. Women are economically empowered, socially independent, and equal on various commonly referred parameters - like property inheritance e.g. It still has the effect. One out of four american college students have been victims of attempted rape, and one out of five have been victims of rape. That's not a modest figure at all.
There is a difference between the US and India. The level of reporting is much higher in the US. Why is that? I would argue its because the police and judicial system are reliable. If that were the case in India, the reporting levels would be much higher. Maybe lower than the US still, the rest of the gap being filled through empowerment. Empowerment gives women confidence to voice their concerns, if not address them.
Empowerment might be the solution to a lot of our nation's problems, but I'm not sure if it'll solve the curious case of crime against women.
