Suppose a few of your friends began making fun of a girl who was strolling alone on the streets? Imagine she is your sister for a moment. How would you respond?  

Given that she is your sister, you will undoubtedly help her, making her feel at ease. The girl who was being harassed is also someone’s wife, daughter, or sister

Historical Lessons

We promise to defend our sister on this auspicious day each year as we celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Nevertheless, why do we ignore the need to honor our sisters and fulfil that pledge all year long?  

Krishna rescued Draupadi from her disrobe 3,500 years ago. Why couldn’t the most powerful men who have ever lived assist their own wives?  Its a common saying that all the major wars in ancient times ancient times happened due to women. In the Ramayana, Raavan abducted Sita, and in the Mahabharat, the Pandavas offered Draupadi as a bet. Therefore, their inability to defend themselves and their helplessness were not their fault.  

Redefining Safety

Instead of instructing your daughter to never go outside alone, perhaps our sons should learn how to give women a safe environment.  

Here’s what you can do to make any girl feel safe not just your sister 

Build an assured and pure relationship among girls in the community by using Raksha Bandhan as a ground to establish this feeling. If the protective spirit of Raksha Bandhan is extended, then we can make concerted efforts to work for protection of all girls including the girl child or the girl who is physically or sexually abused or who is a victim of early marriage and other exploitative practices. This includes defending their rights, endorsing causes against the perpetration of violence on the opposite sex, and encouraging appropriate conditions for their nurturing.  

 Everyone can make conscious efforts to form ‘families’ within one’s circle of friends and colleagues during Raksha Bandhan. It can involve arranging events such as structuring a fete, a seminar, or a support group of girls to raise their status and defend them.  

 Raksha Bandhan should be something that also makes everyone conscious especially girls and women of the challenges they go through. It means that educational initiatives and campaign can focus on such topics as gender segregation, sexual harassment, and psychological help.  

We are celebrating Raksha Bandhan – it is high time that everyone looks up to the principles of protection and assistance for every girl and woman who might need it.  

As you celebrate Raksha Bandhan festival, you will be choosing to embrace love, care and protection for the family members. However, the festival’s nature is a great chance to expand these values for a greater audience. It is only right that the aspect of safety of all girls be embraced.