WALKING LIKE A ‘SLUT’: THE SLUT WALK

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘slut’ as a woman who has many casual sexual partners. So basically it is used to refer a derogatory woman who has low moral values. But can a woman be labeled a ‘slut’ just on the basis of her appearance? Can a woman who has been a victim of sexual-harassment or sexual violence be blamed for the consequences? Is it logical to say that a woman was raped because she dressed up like a slut? And if she is covered from head to toe will it change the mind of a pervert? Constable Michael Sanguinetti who on 24th January, 2011 while speaking on crime prevention at the York University made a controversial statement saying “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”. The statement however gave rise to a movement called “The Slut Walk” which opened a new chapter in modern feminism.

The campaign that originally started in Toronto, Canada on 3rd April, 2011 has gained worldwide momentum. The main goal is to redeem the meaning of the term ‘slut’ by its constant use so that it loses its negative connotations. The movement has started with following demands:

1. Police training and education to promote use of non-discriminatory language, understanding the experiences of oppression and support the victims of sexual assault.
2. Involve third party agencies to evaluate current police training and give recommendations for improvement wherever necessary.
3. Create public awareness with special focus on high schools, colleges and universities on sexual assault and informed consent.

The Slut walks have been successfully held all across North America, Europe, Australia and India. Women dressed in fishnet stockings, stilettos and other provocative outfits came out on the streets to protest against such victim-blaming. The protestors carried placards and leaflets and also chanted slogans like “wherever we go, whatever we do, yes means yes and no means no”. The movement seeks to attain sexual autonomy for women so that they learn to value their individuality.

However, the question that we need to ask is how can we justify a rape on the grounds that I was wearing something that excited others? We live in this world where men having multiple girlfriends are ‘studs’ and women wearing provocative clothes are ‘sluts’. Can we ever manage to remove this discrimination? Or being a woman makes me doomed forever to be a sexual commodity which the men are entitled to exploit as and when they like. Being ‘scantily’ clad does not mean I have lost my ‘sanctity’. Holiness is not achieved by clothes; it is through one’s thoughts and actions. If there is nothing wrong with a scantily clad Venus, Roman Goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and military victory then why is it wrong for a woman, the mortal image of Venus on Earth to wear cut-short denims and mini-skirts? If beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder so does perversion.

By Supreet Kaur