Men have equal role in fight for women’s rights

This picture has been used for representational purpose

This paper carried a report on Sahiyo, a global advocacy body working towards ending the reprehensible practice of Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C), prevalent especially in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

This newspaper has often focused on Sahiyo's path-breaking work and reiterated this paper's stand against the practice.

This time, we need one more round of applause for Sahiyo, which has brought male allies on board. They have launched a program called Bhaiyo, which means brothers in Gujarati. With this, they aim to involve men in the conversation. While Sahiyo had male supporters, a special arm gives it some structure and definite space.

The outreach expands the ambit of a movement that has seen activists and advocates challenged, intrafamily disputes, crippling pressure and threats. Now, bringing men into this will mean that these are truly human rights, and when we say women's rights are human rights, this is the real meaning.

These are difficult conversations especially for men, who will often be told not to interfere in women's issues. Many will be ashamed and feign ignorance. Others may leave such decisions to the women in the family. Men, you cannot exclude yourself and in fact, need to prove that you are equally invested in this.

When you remove yourself from the equation, when men think they should not care, they do not factor in that they are sons, brothers, cousins and most importantly, fathers. They need to make informed and educated choices, they need to know the ramifications of this practice. Add your voice to the conversation, do not take the head-in-the-sand attitude. Resist pressure about not interfering. Dismiss the this-is-not-your-business comments. In fact, it is and rights are certainly not exclusive, they are about everyone.