CALGARY- The brutal gang rape of a young woman in India has thrust that country into a social movement, breaking the silence around a topic rarely spoken about. Now, it’s moving past India’s borders, and into other countries like Canada.
Last month, a 23-year-old student was attacked by a group of men while boarding a bus with a male companion. She died a few days later, from massive internal injuries.
Word of the attack triggered rallies and a fierce debate about the routine mistreatment of women around the world. Five men have since been charged with murder, rape and other crimes that could bring them the death penalty. A 17-year-old is expected to be tried in juvenile court.
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The high-profile case has encouraged a Canadian organization dedicated to helping women in the South Asian community to go public for the first time.
“We’ve been underground because it’s dangerous for us. We’ve had death threats to social workers and our staff, it’s too dangerous for us to have an office building,” explains Tina Betz, from East Indian Women’s Cultural Connection. “The East Indian community is not supportive of us and the churches aren’t supportive of us either.
“It’s very delicate. The East Indian culture doesn’t like to admit any family issues or anything to shame their family, they try to keep things as hidden as they can.”
But after two decades in operation, the Calgary-based non-profit has been inspired to expose the taboo topic by the recent happenings in India. The government there has even set up a special fast-track court to deal with crimes against women.
The move is validating to those working to give women a voice.
“We wanted to tell them they’re not alone, we’re here in the western world fighting for them.”
Click here for more information on East Indian Women’s Cultural Connection.
With files from Jill Croteau
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