Advertisement
Review | Why men rape, in their own words: sex offenders in India and what makes it such a dangerous place for women
- Herself a victim of sexual violence, Tara Kaushal interviews nine Indian men who have committed acts of sexual violence and rape
- Their testimonies provide valuable and disturbing insights into the psychology of rape and rapists in the country
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Why Men Rape: An Indian Undercover Investigation by Tara Kaushal, HarperCollins. 5/5 stars
A study conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation in 2018 ranked India as the world’s most dangerous country for women.
The issues examined included sexual violence and trafficking, gender-based social discrimination, lack of access to and control over contraception and childbirth, health care and maternal mortality rates. Mental and physical abuse, religious and cultural facets such as acid attacks, female infanticide, female genital mutilation, and forced and child marriages were also weighed.
Advertisement
Sexual violence against women is an absolute reality in many cultures around the world. In India, however, it is deeply rooted in patriarchal norms and the belief that men are superior to women and that a man should always be a protector of women.
Advertisement
Rather than being seen as equals or complementary to one another, males and females in India are poles apart in terms of economic, educational and social status and opportunities, and nutrition, health and well-being. This is the reason behind the skewed sex ratio of – according to government figures – 943 females for every 1,000 males.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x