A night school on patriarchy and its possible influence on crimes against women will be conducted on January 18 and 19.
Dr. Fatima Shahnaz, professor, author, journalist and international human rights activist, will talk about and read excerpts from her two upcoming books titled, "The Bride Burning" and its sequel, "Girl, Reconstructed". These two autobiographical narratives tell of her own experience as a battered wife and mother, and how she reconstructed a shattered life as a single parent after the trauma of violence.
The books explore the dark side of the toxic legacy of warped cultural conventions and systemic abuse of women. The Bride Burning focuses on psychological and physical abuse; "Girl, Reconstructed" on the need for reform from obsolete patriarchal systems.
Dr. Shahnaz, who grew up in the West but returned to India, examines the relativist values and discrimination of women in both West and East.
First Talk (Jan 12): The root-causes of violence: family abuse and discrimination against the girl-child; cultural indoctrination and brainwashing; the fear psychosis instilled in women. Gender selection and female feticide.
Second Talk (Jan 18): Socio-Political cynicism; police and political apparatus. Institutional male chauvinism: Victim blaming attitudes; Objectification of women; role of the media in projecting stereotypes of gender; pornography & violence.
Third Talk (Jan 19): Dangerous era of public inured to violence and gender discrimination. Corruption and delinquency in youth. The psychological scars of trauma on rape victims and need for holistic healing; time for reform and change in attitude.
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