Gender-centric online slutshaming is a widespread problem. Regular slutshaming has become a major component of national behaviour. It also reveals the reality of gender inequality in our society. The uncontrolled use of social media has also increased its prevalence.
Independent, self-reliant, and courageous women are not the only victims; women from all lifestyles are equally unsafe.
Women are victims of slutshaming all over the world for 'crimes' such as independent behaviour, physical appearance, having multiple friends, etc. In addition, people of any non-traditional lifestyle and sometimes people of the third gender are also subjected to slutshaming online and offline. The problem is multifaceted and has taken the form of an epidemic.
It is not unusual for the concept of purity and impurity, cleanliness and uncleanliness in society to influence our socio-cultural and religious thoughts, values and morals. In addition, we are bound to a routine or pattern of ethics and values in our daily lives and work. The slightest deviation from this leads us to many types of judgmental situations. This is the 'transgression', which conflicts with the needs and demands of the unwritten rules or customs of society. Here Joel Robbins' talk on 'Morality' comes to mind. According to Robbins, social needs, demands and aspirations not only continuously reproduce our existing thought patterns and behaviours but also maintain existing cultural values and customs. This type of morality encourages the reproduction of certain rigid cultures, through which the values established by ancestors or society continue unquestioned from generation to generation. The determination to maintain this stability gives people the responsibility of being 'moral agents' in the concept and practice of morality. People then judge situations and express opinions on their own responsibility. Such 'opinions' can also take on violent forms.
Recently, we have all seen the news of a female student of Chittagong University being beaten up by a doorman for returning home at 11:00pm and the subsequent clashes and bloody violence between the locals and the university students. The female student, who returned home after the 'time limit' set by society, was subjected to terrible slut-shaming online. Rather than stopping the two-day clash between the students and the villagers or protecting the students, it became more important to blame the student for the problem and slut-sham her on social media.
Meanwhile, a student who filed a writ against the Dhaka University Student Union (DUCSU) elections was threatened with gang rape, and a male student at Rajshahi University slut-shamed women by calling all the students in a particular hall 'unpaid sex workers'.
Such behaviour towards students in the country's top universities also reveals the society's inherent moral and value standards, its preferences and expressions, as well as our social and cultural structure, attitude towards women and the exercise of power. Here, the view of seeing women primarily and solely as a reproductive sphere, the tendency to see women and sexuality as one, and the constant attempt to confine them to the domestic sphere are all reflected. Otherwise, why should women be abused just for coming home at night?
The certificate of character traits prescribed by society is only for her as if she is the only one who is responsible for protecting it. The moral agents of society are ready to take the responsibility of dumping on the garbage at the slightest deviation. That is why perhaps the doorman of the house can raise his hands on a female university student without hesitation.
Like many university students, the Chittagong student also went to a nearby hotel for dinner, ate and returned home. The Dhaka University student had filed a writ in the High Court from her own ideological position – which is the responsibility of the judiciary to judge. However, why should women have legal demands? There is no ideal for women, no political rights, no free expression of will or displeasure, and even women do not have the opportunity to take extra time for self-care.
For example, there is no choice for women in our society in choosing a relationship. A girl studying in a co-educational system can become a complete 'slut' if she hangs out with her male friends; a girl who does not agree to a love proposal can also be called a 'slut'; a woman may have to hear unspeakable gossip and abusive language even for her independent opinion in choosing a lover or life partner.
If married, women will have to be confined only to family, children, and social life. It will be indicative of a slut for the professional women if they talk a lot with male colleagues. It is a given for everyone to be physically and mentally submissive to the prescribed framework. Going outside of that framework and chatting, roaming around or expressing and practising any other independent desires is a big problem for the established moral structure.
These problems are not only in Bangladesh. An American study has shown that slutshaming is practised more on university campuses. It is one of the main sexual harassment behaviours in the US. Social media is working as a new platform in this regard and these hateful behaviours are becoming visible to everyone due to publicity and propaganda. Women who are victims of such attacks are facing psychological crises such as depression, mental instability etc. and are even taking steps like suicide. The most negative aspect is that the land of patriarchy has strengthened through slutshaming by trying to suppress the voice of women in society.
Such wrongdoers can move back and forth in society without any hindrance, even if they become oppressors. Behind this, too, are the practice of existing morality and values and the process of reproducing and enforcing those established rules. That is why we see that men, even if they are rapists or oppressors, do not lag behind in terms of social status.
Men from all walks of life, regardless of their class or professional identity, continue to try to enforce the values of patriarchy and the concept of social morality. They are actually reproducing a kind of social morality. However, what women need is reform and change in many one-sided and imposed 'moralities'. Perhaps this is where the conflict between the existing 'social values' and the independent nature of women lies. Earlier, we have seen what happened with the Women's Commission. There was no constructive discussion or criticism; rather a kind of defaming the whole process that is comparable to slutshaming. For several months, people in Bangladesh witnessed such rude behaviour towards women, who make up 50.84% of the population. Female students also dominate educational institutions these days. Slutshaming has become a kind of political weapon to demoralise women in every sphere. Wasn't that demonstrated yet again prior to the on‑campus elections?
Dr. Eshita Dastidar is an independent researcher.
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