City students feel #MeToo will better things

Youngsters and faculty members of educational institutions in the city feel that the #MeToo campaign is a good platform and will change things.

P K Mathew, a law student from Christ (deemed to be university) believes that this is just the tip of the iceberg. "It's extremely sad to hear the experiences that are coming out. We must salute the courage and strength of the victims and I hope it helps more to speak out. Those predators must be held accountable,” he says.

He mentions that he has heard about men in the IT sector being exploited. "They are asked for sexual favours by their bosses who work late hours."

It was a shocking revelation and a “reality check for the world we’re living in” for Noel Alben, an engineering student from PESIT. But, Mrinal C from PES University explains, "In a predominantly patriarchal country like ours, the campaign is not going to help much because people would prefer to accept it and move on rather than change it."

Ann Mary Prince, a first-year postgraduate student at Mount Carmel College says that women all over the world finally have the confidence to come out and talk about sexual harassment ordeals. She adds, "I think it's still a movement at its prime. Every day there are new accusations and discussions and it's not just about women but about men, transgenders and other clusters as well, all victims of sexual harassment of some sort."

Youngsters also cite instances where a friend might have been subject to harassment and sexual favours. Oshin Tresa Francis, a fashion designing student at J D Institute of Fashion Technology recollects that a friend was asked to sleep with her manager.

"Since she refused, she was given more night shifts at work. The #MeToo campaign is great as real faces are being revealed," she says.

Sudiksha SK, graphic design student at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath says that "enduring pain quietly is a part of womanhood" are some regular statements she has heard.

"In a society that makes the sexually abused feel more ashamed than the abuser, I think the #MeToo campaign is just what we need. We need to stand together with a fellow sister, share her pain and let her have a voice out," she says.

Faculty members at educational institutions have also come out in support of the movement. Vimala R, registrar at the ACTS Academy of Higher Education, says that men are seldom blamed.

"This has been happening for ages and women have taken a bold step and become brave. Now they are educated well enough to openly talk about things. At my time, these issues damaged the woman's image as if it was always considered our fault. The attitude has changed now and women have changed their attitudes about themselves,” she adds.

Dr Kannan S, media studies professor at CHRIST (deemed to be university), says that the movement is a good sign and a step towards empowerment of women. "Finally, women are coming out. Most of them are often worried about their career and what people might think when the offender is a known figure,” he says.

He added, "During college, many of my female counterparts were subject to such situation but they never voiced it out in fear of failing examinations or being asked to leave campus."