“We learn from history that we do not learn from history”
The title is a quote from the renowned German philosopher, Georg Hegel, from the early nineteenth century, which is tragically still apposite in today’s context. Indeed, we all know from history about the triumphs of our forefathers that helped make our nations independent, bring socio-economic changes and the privilege of freedom that we enjoy to this day. We know about the soldiers who were our custodians of freedom and safety, venerated for their sacrifice to this day. Be it the victory of Italy against Nazi Germany during the WW2, or the war of Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union; be it Japan’s invasion of China back then, or the on-going conflict of Jammu-Kashmir today, one crucial chapter found common in all such instances continues to be conveniently erased from history- one that exhumes records of systematic rape and exploitation carried out by, and turned a blind eye on by the very peacekeepers of people; one that vehemently takes advantage of the most vulnerable of the community.
The chapter I refer to includes women and children, of all ages, falling victims in the hands of both native and foreign military troops, sexually mutilated and raped repeatedly. From undergoing mass female genital mutilation to being induced with substances that were believed to result in birth defects and genetic abnormalities of the children of the future generations, women and children had to face systematic exploitations to the point where the indelible physical and emotional scars continue to haunt these women to this day. In many instances, such as the one that took place ensuing Japan’s invasion of China during WW2, colloquially known as the ‘Rape of Nanking’, military forces sexually tortured all citizens, including men and young boys, and murdered them in the most inhumane ways possible.
Avoided by the authorities despite the existence of documented cases and witnesses, turned a blind eye on by communities because of the pre-existent stigma surrounding women subjected to rape and the society’s lionising soldiers who brought their people freedom to a point where allegations that go against their integrity are seen through a prism of ‘ungratefulness’, the physical and sexual abuse that thousands of women and children underwent, from not only the invading troops but also the native soldiers, remains unvoiced and disregarded. The cases where perpetrators are held accountable by the legal system, such as the recent Kunan-Poshpora incident of 1991 where the Indian security forces present in the twin villages of Kashmir conducted a mass-rape of women and children, the military officials blatantly denied all claims.
Few nations came forward only recently (yet finally) constituting rape of women during wars and unrests as ‘war crime’ and genocide that is punishable by law. For instance, following the end of the civil war of 1971 in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi government honoured the victims of mass-rape with the title of ‘War Heroine’ or Birangana, establishing multiple stations for their healthcare.
Unfortunately, this is not the avenue most authorities took as the majority of the legal procedures are stagnant due to the lack of cooperation from the higher officials and a lack of evidence. This was foreseeable. As most of these incidents took place a long time ago it is difficult to procure a testimony from a witness. Fearing public diatribes, most of these women either committed suicide or resorted to never coming forward with their story. But worst of all, the violence was systematic and, in some cases, masterfully documented as a consensual service, as was the case of ‘comfort women’ who were kidnapped and recruited by Japanese soldiers to ‘comfort stations’ and threatened to have their families murdered and exiled, as any kind of insubordination would be equivalent to treason.
Where many countries today provide martyrs, soldiers and their families with honorary titles and quotas in job sectors, states fail to even acknowledge the women’s sacrifices in the war, let alone offer reparations. To this day, many of these women suffer in silence from acute mental disorders due to the trauma inflicted upon them. Handled like an exploitable commodity during war and unrest, the status quo for women and children hasn’t changed much as they are still taken advantage of in their most vulnerable conditions today. Today, they are sexually assaulted and mutilated in the wake of ethnic cleansing where perpetrators destroy the most delicate stem of a community to convey a message of threat and as a symbol of purifying the bloodline. To all these women, living in a free land doesn’t feel as ‘free’ and the glory of independence doesn’t strike as brightly, for the cost they needed to pay for freedom was more than what it’s worth.
by Sahiba Tasnia Tanushree
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