NEW DELHI: Indian women are hopeful for the country to begin to change its perception of women and the rising tide of sexual violence that has come to the international forefront following the gang rape of a woman and her subsequent death last month. On Monday, the trial of five men accused of carrying out the horrific crime is set to begin and it has some women believing that India could be on the verge of a massive cultural change. “We can only try to change how women in this country are portrayed and treated,” Meena Gudnarati, a 27-year-old graphic designer turned women's rights activist over the past month, told Bikyanews.com on Monday morning ahead of the first trial session that was to begin in Delhi on Monday. The five men are charged with the viscous rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in New Delhi on a bus in December. For Gudnarati rape is commonplace in India, but was most surprising in this specific case was that nobody intervened to stop the violence against the woman. “I get up everyday and when I read the newspaper there are so many crimes against women I almost cry. I didn't even notice it before this happened, but now it is shocking and we need to change,” she continued. And now is the time to do so. “We have talked for the past month, we have gone to the streets to protest and demanded change, but the government and police can only do so much. This problem facing women is a cultural one and something that we as Indians must come to terms with and understand if we are to change our country.” In the December 16 incident, passengers and the driver of a bus are alleged to have attacked the woman and her male companion, robbed them and dumped them by the side of the road. The badly injured woman was flown to Singapore for treatment after the attack. She died about two weeks later while undergoing treatment. Her male companion survived. If convicted, the men could face the death penalty. For women in India, it is another test of the country's ability to support and give some justice to them in the country. Many women in Delhi Bikyanews.com spoke with say they are hopeful that this case will spur the change needed to begin to rethink and reexamine how women are treated, but they admit their is a long way to go before women can walk the streets of India in peace and without fear. “I am very scared about going outside, even with my male friends, because of this crime. Women in India are treated poorly and it is a very sad state for this country. We need to show the world that we can have justice and create a better future for all Indians,” added Gudnarati. Bikyanews.com
