Women in South Asia 

By: Trisha Samaroo

    To some people of the world, women are the second class citizens whose job it is to be a housewife though they have the potential to be leaders. In South Asia, women are expected to be home to take care of their husband and children. They live in a violent household resulting in mental illness and suicide. 15,000 women suffer each year from dowry-related violence. Out of the 412.4 million illiterate adults who live in South Asia, 63.6% of them are women. Their employment rate is low and those who work face harsh conditions and earn cents daily. The Indian Space Research Organization had their first successful Mars mission thanks to women but they aren’t celebrated in science. The everyday woman or the successful/famous ones are discriminated against and are reduced to the way the dress and how much skin they show. If they are assaulted or raped, the blame is placed on them instead of the violent actions of the men. Politicians called a gang-rape of a young woman by six men a “small rape”. This generated protests and change of their rape laws. The UN and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women have taken measures to provide women with safety and chances. The Active Help Organization and the AIHRPC organized forums to help educate women. Women in South Asia and the rest of the world need to be helped and Emma Watson spoke at the UN calling for all the boys and men to bring change.