The human race has been afflicted with war ever since the inception of the human form itself. Even the divine power could not be spared by it. Whether it is the war between angels and demons, the war of Mahabharata, or even the World Wars, humans have always been and will always be prone to wars and conflicts. Yet, many have realized that the cost of war is far greater to bear than to conquer.
Today, men and women, alike, are trying to make amends in the resolutions of war to minimize its effects. From Mother Teresa to Malala, history has witnessed great women who have opposed war and advocated for the cause of peace around the world. However, in an era where conversations around women's rights and selfhood have entered the mainstream, we are still treating women as the 'other' to men, as hundreds and thousands of women still remain bound to the horrors of war and conflict as sufferers.
Women have been reduced to collateral damage of wars all around the world throughout history, yet we have remained silent all this time. Why? Probably because it has been accepted as a general aftermath of war. Yet, the fact remains that men start war, and women are expected to bear the damages of it, whether they are physical, sociological, or psychological. Women are treated as the dumping grounds of the sociopolitical agendas of male-dominated warfare.
Women are considered socially and culturally inferior to men, which makes them the prime targets of terror during conflicts. The terror and violence inflicted upon the Jews under the dictatorship of Hitler still remain fresh within our memories. The Jewish women were not only sexually abused by their Nazi captors but were also beaten, harassed, and used for human experimentation. Their bodies were objectified and commodified to cater to Nazi obligations. Apart from this, the trauma they suffered and carried with them affected their personal lives to a large extent. Those who managed to escape could hardly make it; some went into hiding, and others tried to flee the country. With no families, income, or houses to live in, these women lost everything they had.
Even during the India-Pakistan partition in 1947, many women had to relocate and were separated from their families following the looting and violence that started in Rawalpindi. Some were lucky to have found a home in the new country, yet many were abandoned, raped, molested, murdered, and even killed to protect the honor of the family instead of being captured by the enemy. Their trauma had been so deeply etched that these families relive the horrific memories of the past even now. It is estimated that more than 75,000 women were uprooted from their homes, abducted, and raped during the years of partition.
Moving forward to the 21st century, the Middle East remains a major area of conflict with tensions ranging from civil wars to international conflicts. Wars have targeted civilians – both men and women alike – yet wars affect both genders differently, as women are more prone to gender-based violence than men. The conflict within Syria evidently shows how gender-based violence has continually affected the lives of women in the country. Syrian women often flee the country to avoid the war by marrying and relocating to Lebanon and other parts, only to remain prey to domestic violence. Even then, their misery doesn't end, as they often fall victim to rape, assault, honor killing, forced child marriage, and prostitution.
Most recently, the Manipur sexual assault case following the conflict has shaken India to its core. The horrific and inhumane act against the two women who were raped and paraded nude on the streets not only puts the authorities into question regarding women's safety but also questions the morality of conflict and war. Is it morally right to cause harm to the dignity of an individual to cater to the obligations of a community? How long will women be used as objects of communication to convey messages or propagate the intentions of male-dominated warfare during conflicts? Why is there almost negligible representation of women in peace-keeping initiatives when they are the silent sufferers of conflicts? In a world where the dynamics of warfare are constantly evolving, the only remaining constant is the female collateral damage.
Yet, we are indifferent to the cause of women; the media is just as indifferent in informing the audience about the truth, which often remains tainted. The women remain stuck between law and injustice, to no end. We come across violence against women almost every day – some are raped, others are murdered or captured as captives, while others are mutilated and shamed. What does it take to reclaim female dignity? We try to console ourselves by trying to make a difference through a candle march or finding comfort in yet another feature film mansplaining the cause of women. However, we become oblivious to the wronged woman as soon as there is another quest to conquer. The question we need to ask here is: Is war really worth the cost? Is such a victory worth the loss of humanity?
