Women volunteered answers to the persistent domestic violence towards their sex at a Women’s Forum. Held as a part of the fifth anniversary of the Waikato Branch of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held at the Celebrating Age Centre in Hamilton on June 9.
Aspiring to a better world where respect for their sex is widespread and assured of physical and psychological security for women (particularly from men), Dr Pushpa Wood of Massey University questioned the time it takes to change deeply embedded cultural beliefs.
Embarrassing moments
“It embarrasses me as an Indian with a Doctorate in Indian religions to be called to Court as an expert witness to quote what Indian culture or religion says, knowing this to be only one individual from India and not what India as a whole does. I sit there knowing that our religion or culture is being used, and how our parents may actually teach submissiveness to their daughters,” she said.
She spoke about outmoded ideas that persist in the community.
“Bringing home money is not the only way to help one’s family. Women are probably working at home from dawn till midnight, contributing to the family but in a different way,” she said.
Colour prejudice
Gurmeeta Kaur, whose ancestors settled in Pukekohe more than 100 years ago, admired their tolerance, even as they encountered the ‘White League’ prejudice.
“The silence of women needs to change if we’re to preserve family harmony. The pioneer women never asked for help over domestic violence, accepting it as normal. To change, we need only look to what’s happening on the outside; crime increasing among our men and women,” she said.
Silence deadly
Anjum Rahman, a candidate for East Ward in the forthcoming Hamilton City Council elections (Indian Newslink, June 15, 2013), stressed the need for social work and counselling to reach women, who might otherwise feel isolated by language, culture or lacking friends to confide.
“Silence is not the answer. About 90% of assault victims do not report their assailants. The biggest issue is safety in the home. We are not able to get justice for these women, even when we know who has done it,” she said.
Empowering women
Labour Party MP Sue Moroney said that women of Indian origin should be involved in decision-making for the community – in kindergartens, school boards and in Parliament.
“After troubled times, shocking turmoil and tragedy in Rwanda, the nation decided to make women a part of decision-making in building a democracy. Rwanda has now the highest representation of women in the Commonwealth with about 40% of MPs being female. New Zealand is second with 32%,” she said.
Family strength
Janet Franks (Prokopova), President of the New Zealand Russian Friendship Society (Waikato), said that the world knew the strength of the Indian family and its care towards elders, devotion of parents in raising their children.
“Families are not always so blessed. I have seen how family violence undoes devotion to children and family life,” she said and agreed that seniors in a family unit should play a role in settling domestic upheaval amicably, having given their best to their children in the years they were young.
Melvan Driscoll is a Court Monitor for a domestic violence intervention organisation in Hamilton, and a volunteer broadcaster. The above is an edited version of an exhaustive report filed by him.
