I think for long, we (women) have been tricked into thinking we are equal. Along with that comes the false sense that we are safe, especially when we decide to travel alone or come home late. However, the sad truth is that we are not equal…yet.

Women are still viewed as objects, playthings, disposable. When the men in our own country view us as second class citizens, it’s hard to assume men in other places will treat us with respect.

Women are not equal. Women are not safe.

Thordis Elva shared a teenage romance with Tom Stranger. After a school dance, Tom raped Thordis, after which they parted ways for many years. 16 years after the rape, Tom and Elva met in Cape Town and shared their life stories. The pair have co-authored a book, South of Forgiveness, to give out a simple message, that the power of words triumphs all and that it’s high time that we stop treating sexual violence as a women’s issue.

So, we can either live in fear, or we can try to live the life we want. Sure, we are taking risks when we travel to foreign places, travel alone, seek adventure, happiness, experiences.

We run the same risk when we go on a date, give out our phone number, get married. We are far more likely to die at the hands of a significant other, in our own homes and communities.

23 year old Catherine Johannet was a “globetrotting Scarsdale woman who had already visited 6 continents and innumerable countries. Catherine was found dead in Panama (of an island off Panama’s coast).

Priyanka Chopra’s mother says that as a newcomer Priyanka lost at least 10 films because she refused to compromise. Her mother says “losing on some work is not the end of your life; your life is more valuable.”

You can read the article here http://www.bollywoodpresents.com/priyanka-chopra-sexual-harassment/

Women have to make a big scene when someone even suggests a sexual favor for work. If someone touches them without their consent they have to physically hit back and injure the person and raise a big alarm. Not keep quiet and think “oh what will happen to my job if I complain about this person, he/she is so powerful and I might never get a job again”.

You have to decide before coming out in the world of employment what is more important for you , your job or your modesty. All of this happens here in the U.S and much more than India. The corporate world is only about sexual favors and sexist people. Women who do not comply dont get promoted , infact they are given a choice of a transfer to another department which is not of their expertise or simply leave.

I have personally met too many women ( caucasian American white women) who had to leave their jobs to keep their dignity. Of a certain company or production in this case is not conducive to your morals and principles, you simply leave and try for another one. No one job is the end of the world, so please get sympathy out of this.

If Mr. Hirani suggested something sexual or as she claims assaulted him then she should’ve raised an alarm at that moment and quit the job. People will respect you more when you confront and quit to keep your dignity as opposed to crying out after a few years that I was exploited. Please keep your dignity , not your job. No job is good enough that anyone could play with your modesty. There are way too many jobs and opportunities in places where the people are really decent and none of this ever tolerated , where power play is never in play. The woman has to decide.

Vinta Nanda, the woman who was assaulted by Alok Nath has written on her twitter handle, ‘The latest on #MeToo is so disturbing. Who is it that women can trust? Can’t deal with these words anymore ” “At the outset, our client states that the allegations made against him are false, mischievous, scandalous, motivated and defamatory’

But what is the woman was trying to blackmail Hirani and he didn’t give in? What if Hirani didn’t want her as an assistant director in his next film?

Accusing without a proof and that too after so much time is not right I think. No Voice Recording , No Messages , No Chats , No Videos over a period of 6 months suggests foul game. There’s so much of technology available that victims can use..spy cameras, voice recorders, etc. It doesn’t take much to accuse, and hidden agendas can also not be ruled out. She could even be doing this on instructions from someone who wants to defame Hirani?

It takes years to build reputation, and any accusation without proof is not correct. I hope a thorough investigation is done and a final report made public.