THE DISCRIMINATION OF WOMEN IN A RURAL VILLAGE

THE DISCRIMINATION OF  WOMEN IN A  RURAL VILLAGE 

                

                BY SANJAY YADAV 

Many years ago, there was a village. In this village, many women faced rape, murder, and violence day by day. Men did not provide proper education for their girl children. They did not give education, especially to women and girls in the village. The people of this village sold their daughters to people from other villages for money.

This village was not only a place of discrimination against women and young girls, but it also had many problems related to land and conflicts with landowners. These types of things were happening in the village.

After four years, there were two young women named Preeti and Lakshmi who came from a distant city. These two young women were well-educated and good speakers who had become successful in their lives. They came to the village to understand the situation of the people.

One day, the two young women reached the village, and the villagers gave them a room to stay. Preeti and Lakshmi settled in the village for the first time.

Now it was their first night in the village. They had brought food from their home. Both of them ate their food at night and then went to sleep in their room.

The next morning, Preeti and Lakshmi woke up early. They were doing some work inside their room. Suddenly, both of them heard the voices of girls outside. They immediately came out of their room to see what was happening in the village..

Preeti said, “Look, someone is misbehaving with a woman.”

Lakshmi replied, “Yes, but I don’t understand why people are not doing anything.”

Preeti said, “Yes, Lakshmi, I am also thinking the same.”

Both of them went to that place. When they reached, the man had already raped and killed the woman in front of the villagers. But the people did nothing because of their situation.

Then Preeti said, “I want to ask all of you something. Why didn’t you help that woman when five men were misbehaving with her in front of you?”

A village man replied, “We did nothing because it is the tradition of our village.”

Lakshmi said, “Tradition? I’m sorry to say this, but this is not a tradition. When men come at any time and commit such crimes in front of all of you, and you call it a tradition—this is shameful. All of you just stand and watch such situations. Shame on you all.”

But the villagers were not ready to listen to the two women. The people started speaking angrily against them. Then both Preeti and Lakshmi became very sad and emotional and went back to their home.

One night, during dinner time, both Preeti and Lakshmi were seated at the table, thinking about the situation in the village. Neither of them understood what they could do for the village.

Preeti said, “Lakshmi, let’s eat dinner. I am hungry. Lakshmi, what happened?”

Lakshmi replied, “Nothing, I am just thinking about the village.”

Preeti said, “I am also thinking the same thing. But we can’t do anything. They are not ready to listen to us.”

Lakshmi said, “We may not be able to do much, but we can at least try, Preeti.”

After completing their dinner, they went to sleep in their room. But Lakshmi could not sleep during the night.

The next morning, both of them finished their breakfast. Then they sat in their room to do some work. Suddenly, they heard another noise outside. Both of them came out to see what was happening.

They saw the same five men had caught a woman and started misbehaving with her in front of all the villagers. After some time, they raped and killed the woman and left her dead body at the same place. The five men left without any hesitation.

Preeti and Lakshmi became very sad and emotional. Tears came to their eyes after seeing the condition of women in the village. They felt helpless because they knew the villagers were not ready to listen or take any action.

After a few hours, the same five men returned to the village. One of them saw Preeti.

The man said, “Wow, she is very beautiful. I want to spend one night with her.”

Preeti said, “Don’t touch me! I will call the police.”

The man replied, “The police will not do anything. This is our area, and we can do anything with women. No one can stop us.”

Then the man started touching Preeti inappropriately, and she felt ashamed and scared. He tried to assault her, but suddenly Lakshmi came forward and slapped him.

After that, the other men also started misbehaving with both of them. They tried to assault them in front of the villagers. After some time, one village woman came out of her house and tried to save the two young women, but she could not do much because she was alone.

The village woman said, “What are you all watching? I understand the pain of every woman here, but we have done nothing. Today, I understand the truth because of these two young women. You do not want to help them? No problem. I will help them alone. You can just watch such crimes, go home, eat, and sleep. Shame on all of you!”

After her speech, the villagers felt ashamed and realized the truth. They became motivated and gathered courage. Suddenly, they attacked the five men and killed them, as they no longer wanted to see such crimes against women.

A village man said, “We are truly sorry, sisters. Today you suffered because of those men.”

Preeti said, “It’s okay. The important thing is that you have understood the truth. Use your strength to protect others and stand against injustice.”

The village woman said, “You both have opened our eyes. Without you, we could never understand the truth.”

Lakshmi replied, “No, it is because of your courage. Your words gave strength to everyone.”

Preeti and Lakshmi changed the atmosphere of the village. The villagers were grateful for their efforts. Both of them then made a plan to improve the village.

They worked to bring proper education for children, clean drinking water, and good healthcare facilities. They also helped establish a police system to ensure justice. Because of these changes, the villagers became happy and began to live a safer and better life.

The village began to live happily without any problems. All the villagers started sending their daughters to school for education. Preeti and Lakshmi were very happy to see the smiles on the faces of the villagers.

After a few days, Preeti and Lakshmi packed their belongings to leave the village and return home. Suddenly, all the villagers gathered outside their house. When Preeti and Lakshmi saw them, they noticed tears in their eyes. The villagers were sad and emotional because the two young women were leaving their village.

Preeti said, “We have seen how all of you struggled during difficult times. But you also discovered your strength, courage, and motivation. This strength is within all of you. This happiness is because of you, not just because of us. Thank you for trusting us.”

The village woman said, “No, it is because of both of you. You have given a new life to this village. Today, our daughters are going to school happily and living a better life because of you.”

After that, the villagers walked with Preeti and Lakshmi to the edge of the village to say goodbye.

Two days later, Preeti and Lakshmi returned to the village. They saw that all the villagers were living happily together. They decided to stay with them, and together they celebrated festivals and lived like one family.