#Metoo Movement

In the past few weeks, we have seen an increasing conversation around sexual harassment, owing to the huge number of women who have come forward with their own stories of exploitation. The viral hash tag #metoo has thrust the issue of sexual violence onto a global stage and Indian women are also joining in. While survivors from all walks of lives are speaking about their experiences and demanding justice, organizations have responded by removing people, against whom these allegations have been made, from their positions, pending investigation. However, the movement has also faced criticism from a number of people for its back falls. The movement has helped de-stigmatize the act of surviving sexual assault, primarily by bringing out the breadth and impact of it. It is still imperative to expand the conversation to speak to the needs of a broader spectrum of survivors. It is also essential to hold the perpetrators accountable and have a long term, sustainable strategy in place to disrupt the system that allows for sexual violence.

While the movement did make the issue of sexual violence an important topic, it is important to discuss the issues being brought out and the future of the movement itself. We invite the victims, allies and all those who care about the movement, to join a conversation on what the movement in India is doing and what is the possible future for it.