Indonesian women take part on a women's day rally in Jakarta, on March 4, 2017, as part of March 8 International women's day celebrations. (AFP Photo/Bay Ismoyo)
Have you checked your privilege?
8 Maret 2017 16:00
Before you ask why we even need an International Womens day when there are more women than men in the world, check your privilege.
Before you complain why women get a special carriage in the commuter line trains, check your privilege.
Maybe youre a man who has never been touched intentionally by strangers without your consent,
Maybe youve never experienced the wild gaze from a random man who looks at you with a smile you know for sure has a perverted meaning behind it.
Or maybe, you simply dont need to take public transportation to make ends meet.
Before you say that girls who are sexually assaulted asked for it and shouldnt have dressed like a whore, check your privilege.
Maybe youve never been in a powerless situation, surrounded by people stronger than you are, pinned down just because they want to do it.
Maybe youve never realized that most victims wore decent clothes when they were assaulted.
Or maybe, youve never had a mother, daughter or sister raped by someone you thought was a good friend.
Before you rant about those so-called-feminists who are always yelling anti-patriarchy!, check your privilege.
Maybe youve never been assaulted and faced the harsh reality that nobody believes you. After all, 'you asked for it'.
Maybe youve never been told to change your clothes just so people would not think to rape you but of course they would still do so.
Maybe youve never had to stop pursuing your education just because your parents think that its useless as youll end up serving your spouse anyway.
Maybe youve never felt insecure of your breasts that somehow makes you slutty, your tights that have no gap between them, your arms that are flabby according to this months magazine, your voice that your family say too loud for a nice girl, and your genital that apparently, is not only yours, but everyone elses business.
Maybe youve never seenall of your life accomplishments being worthless to other people just because you are not married yet by the time you reach twenty five.
Maybe youve never been stuck in an abusive relationship you cant escape because youve been taught that good girls stand by their husbands no matter what that those bruises and tears dont matter.
Maybe you have never experienced all of those things. Good for you. I wouldnt even wish that on my worst enemy.
But last year alone, there were 259,150 reported cases of violence against women in Indonesia. God knows how many unreported incidents are out there.
I hope youre not one of the victims and I hope you understand that its already a privilege you might take for granted.
I hope you understand that feeling safe and being able to control ones life should not be a privilege.
And I hope you understand that its exactly why we still need to have the International Womens Day.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect Brilio's.
