The time has arrived to declare war against the rapists. No more escape...

For far too long, women have had to suffer behind closed doors. It is time to put such a horrific crime to an end for good. No more thinking about social stigma and shame. Culprits are roaming freely without fear, tension or anxiety, why should victims have to suffer in silence? They need to be heard. We need to stand up against violence, mistreatment and victimisation.

One in three rape victims in India are under the age of 18. One in 10 are under 14. Every 20 minutes in India, a woman is raped.

It is time to break the silence together. Rape cases are increasing rapidly not only in one particular geographic region or a single country but globally as a whole. Repercussions of sexual assaults result in long lasting consequences for the victim. It not only has a devastating impact on self-esteem and the confidence of the victim but also stimulates eating disorders, depression, and fear to maintain existing relationships. (http://www.vawnet.org/applied-research-papers/print-document.php?doc_id=349 )

Government intervention is a must to solve this crisis. The government must develop a solid and firm solution in order to provide justice to all those who are oppressed in such a manner, which often involves elements of violence. A severe punishment is needed to serve as a deterrent. Rapists should be punished publically, no one will ever dare to violate or play with a women's dignity in the 21st century.

In some countries, there is an urgent need of 'cultural reform,' in particular countries like India. A move toward a 21st century civilised nation is imperative. Protective laws that safeguard the rights of women are essential not only for the sake of justice but for the growth of a nation and its moral standards.

However, will this really grant women the freedom and empowerment they need? This will only have a certain and limited impact. The real case that needs to be tackled is improving perilous conditions of education. Education is a weapon that can tackle this monstrous disease. Many of these assaults are due to gloomy picture of perpetuated illiteracy statistics.

Illiteracy menaced over 786 million adults globally, with just basic reading skills or even not that. Regrettably, two-third of the illiterate population is women. (http://www.dvv-international.de/adult-education-and-development/editions/aed-712008/international-reflections-on-issues-arising-from-the-benchmarks-and-call-for-action/building-the-case-for-literacy/). There's a need of revolutionising education in rural areas for instance areas where women are not even permitted to study.

What has been done? A powerful, determined and committed group of women has designed a campaign titled #HerVoice in India. The aim of the campaign is to empower the oppressed. Empower the voiceless!

What can we do? We need to stand up and salute women that have retreated from hibernation and ready to fight for justice.

Think for once, would you like your daughter/sister/friend to be raped too? Save your coming generations and other women from rapists... your support is needed. We are asking you to join the campaign. You can support, save and shed light into the lives of many.

Sexual violation- a damage that can last a life time - but with your help, we can change this. Let us work together. Let's fight together. It is time to end this together!

By: Fatimah Kajal Manshad

Bio:

Fatimah Kajal Manshad is A-level student in UK but, as part-time, works with a Pakistan-based international non-governmental organisation (Minhaj-ul-Quran) working to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and education, tackle extremism and terrorism, engage with young generation for religious moderation, promote women’s rights, development and empowerment, and provide social welfare and promotion of human rights.