Of Sandra, Cassandra..... and child abuse

It was with deep concern I read the second editorial titled - `Safeguarding Children'- on this page last Sunday. The editor of this newspaper, of course in that editorial, had driven home a message with deeper meaning, stressing the greater need to protect the child. The heart rending sentiments expressed, looked an eye-opener to all who deal with child abuse. In this country, we have recognised institutions which deal with that subject. The law enforcement sector is no exception.

In the context of the child, the woman plays a major role as the mother or guardian. It is an undisputed fact, that even women are subject to abuse in any society. But, we do live in an era where women battle for equal rights and draw up Charters' sans the right of the child. The foulest dehumanizing crimes are committed on infants. At times, the new born are thrown into dustbins by their mothers. Some children become `nobody's child' when mothers' go for greener pastures overseas. In child abuse, if the offender wielded political power, the law enforcement authorities turned a blind eye.It is time that the police kept vigil on `night life' of youth, as the drug menace keeps spreading at a faster rate. Drug addicts either seek sex when drugged or tend commit murder. Money and power, which are temporary tools of good and bad, should not be allowed to exploit human life in dangerous terms that affect the society. With regard to the child abuse, we have, had many a heart breaking series, over the past three decades and, space here does not warrant narration.

Given that tearful plight of the child, what contribution do we see from our womenfolk? Come March 8, how do our women behave on `Women's International Day'? It looks an annual encounter to the affluent `Sandra types' from Colombo 7 to take the downtrodden `Cassandra - likes' along the highway to scream for gender equality. At those demonstrations, Sandra, Diana and Rosy from the affluent class are the main organisers while Prema, Mallika and Vijitha are called upon to carry placards and shout slogans in the scorching sun.

Sandra, Diana and Rosy would be up from bed before six in the morning to reach the `star class' salon on appointment, for the facial `Make Up'. Coming before the dressing table Sandra would ask her hubby - "Darling, do I look smart in these tight jeans? The TV crews will be there, and you can see me on news tonight". Rosy would stand before the mirror in a tighter three quarter denim pant and ask the husband - `My sweet Kolla, how do I look?..., - `Yes dear quite nice, the TV crews will attract you', he would crack with spice.

The Cassandra type Prema, Mallika and Vijitha would dress up with what they have, to join the protest march carrying placards to reach the venue on schedule. Sandra, Rosy and Diana arrive at the march in the best of `full option' cars at their disposal. All types of women folk as one entity, paint the city `red' on March 8, demanding equality and many more impossible things. Before fall of the dusk, Sandra, Diana and Rosy retire homes on time to view the TV newscast, in relax with their families. Prema, Mallika and Vijitha reach home late in crowded buses caught in the traffic jam.

They are at the receiving end from their men, with no dinner on table like the home of Rosy, and children screaming in hunger. That is how our women play their annual encounter on March 8.Be that as it may, the attainment of a democratic society looks full and deeper in meaning only if we witness the emancipation of the woman and child. In that context, we should accept the proposition to measure the success of such a progress based on a transformation, where woman and child is protected. We have traversed a path and witnessed the frightening scale of woman and child abuse, and domestic violence. The available statistics may quantify that the level of human anguish and suffering, by any standard is impermissible.

The scale of violence and abuse on woman and child, demand the full appreciation to the fact, that such a form of oppression is nothing but a cancer that affects all levels of a civilized society. The need is to address political, social, cultural and economic issues that relate to the cause of woman and child abuse in our society. Several meaningful measures and concrete structures are necessary to combat this menace. For that, Women Organisations too have a vital role to play, other than the annual celebration or demonstration they conduct on March 8 with much glamour in front followed by the clamour of the Cassandra-likes.Women's bodies which scream for gender equality must not be bent only on holding a fiesta on March 8 to attract television coverage to its affluent leaders. They should instead walk that extra mile to meet the legitimate rights of their own gender that should not be perpetuated by social oppression.

Those who trust in the truth and, believe in justice, cannot distance the woman from the child in a civilized society. Towards a turn for the better, the Cassandra-like Prema, Vijitha and Mallika should first exert pressure on Sandra, Diana and Rosy to walk that extra mile on their behalf. Or else, the Cassandra-like category would continue to play subordinate forever to the affluent women in the scorching sun. And the search for organs for the safety and security of woman and child would prove to be a futile exercise.