Yami Gautam in powerful open letter on Women's Day says ‘break shackles of misogyny’

On Women’s Day, March 8, Yami Gautam wrote an open letter and emphasised that we need to fight the battle against sexual violence as a nation. She also urged everyone to take steps and break the shackles of misogyny.

Yami Gautam called attention towards sexual abuse and violence on International Women’s day, March 8. The actress wrote that abuse has become a norm in our motherland India, and it’s high time for us to ‘break the shackles of generations of misogyny’. Yami wrote about exploring this subject in A Thursday and hoped for a better and safe world for women.

Yami Gautam was last seen in the hostage thriller, A Thursday. She gave a brilliant performance in it. Since her character in the film had suffered sexual abuse as a minor, Yami was deeply touched by the story. On Women’s Day, she urged her fans to take action against this and ensure that women don’t face brutality anymore.

Her caption read, “Just wishing 'Happy Women's Day' is not enough, especially with the kind of brutality women are facing even today. Let us all as a nation stand together to make it not just a happy day but a happy and safe world for women (sic).”

A part of Yami’s long letter read, “So many ways to remember the months and years that go by, but I seem to remember them through headlines. I have seen at least one news flash every day in the last year on a girl getting raped or sexually assaulted in our country. Ironic that 'our' India - a land we refer to as our motherland; witnesses the brutal physical abuse faced by her daughters across all ages, to the extent that it has become a norm! It breaks my heart to see words like 'torture’, 'rape’, 'molestation’, 'murder' have become a part of our breakfast table dialogue, and yet - there seems to be no end to the vicious cycle (sic).”

She added, “It's even worse to feel that society today has started to normalise women's fear of stepping out in the dark, walking alone on the road, or even taking a cab ride. The fears have been rationalised and equated to women being the cause of harm. How is that ever justified (sic)?”

The letter further read, “Let this year be a milestone for many more to come to create a better, safer world for women. The many initiatives and governing laws being put in place by the authorities are good first steps - but real change will be implemented when the legal changes become a social revolution, which can only take place if every individual steps up to do something about it in their own way. Start small - educate your sons, have an open line of communication with your daughters: make your home the hub for bringing this necessary change. Encourage sex education in schools and at home - this will help steer away from the notion of sex as a taboo. Don't stop at just breakfast dialogues: if you see or hear about an incident around you, I urge you to report it even if you are not related to the victim. Break the shackles of generations of misogyny one step at a time. It is time to speak up, use your words as your action and end the demon with strong preventive measures (sic).”