#MeToo Wave

Let me begin with few disclaimers,

1. I am not against #MeToo campaign
2. I am not against the idea of being gender neutral approaches in a society

#MeToo has caught the attention of Media and Public today. There appears to be a series of “allegations” on several people of repute in society. One can go on debating the facts of the matter the element of truth in such allegations. I do not think there is an easy end to that debate. That debate is not my area of interest as well.

I want to express a few points that I think is getting missed out in the Media Hype and the Viral nature of Social Media.

1. In my view, the #MeToo campaign portrays a woman being a victim. True in many instances but general perception goes with the belief that women must be a victim. The victim card approach does not give women a level playing game. Psychologically victims get sympathy from society at large.
2. Most of the #MeToo that I have noticed so far relates to a generation that is not current. I do see a massive difference in the way a “boy” and “girl” are interacting in today’s social circle than what it was 3-4 decades before. In my view, the need to empower women to say “NO” and be in command does not get enhanced by #MeToo
3. I prefer the approach of Sexual Harassment at Workplace which empowers women without being positioned as a victim.
4. There is also an assumption that such harassment is done by the men to the women. We all know for the fact today that may not be true.

I like the fact that women are willing to come out and speak. In my view, there is a need to explore and work on the following. I am sure there are NGOs and other stakeholders who can join hands to work on this.

1. How do we expand the scope of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? The scope needs to go beyond the workplace and gender.
2. How do we minimize the instances of false allegations? False allegations are not a figment of the imagination. These have happened.
3. What are the challenges that the new millennials will face in such situations? The meaning of relationship today is different. For example, Live-In relationship was not an option 3-4 decades before, but we see that more often today.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed here are the personal viewpoint of Subramaniam P G. The views do not represent the view of any organisations that Subramaniam P G is connected.