“War is the science of destruction.”
- John Abbott
Different wars at different times have projected women's participation. They have been often the targets of conflict. Also their participation during post-war reconstruction cannot be sidelined.
Women are devoted to peace and fighting battles with the enemy is generally the duty of the men.
In the legendary account of Indian history, before the start of war, women participated by providing supplies, outfitting their husbands for battle, singing in their support and sending the warriors off with prayers for a safe return. Participation of women during wars meant bringing water for the soldiers and tending the wounded. When the victorious war party returned from the battlefield, women danced during the celebration.
In some cases, girls were encouraged to develop their riding and fighting skills. In some exceptional cases stronger willed women actually became outstanding warriors. Tribal legends give accounts of brave women who were cunning in strategy and skilled in archery and horsemanship.
Many ancient histories speak of the women who took part in the wars.
Indian history has highlighted many women's role during wars. The woman that deserves a mention is Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. She died fighting British troops during the uprising of 1857.
During World War II, woman wrote letters to their husbands, brothers and friends and boosted their morale.
There are many other names of women who have showed their courage and bravery during wars. Some others may have missed their mention in the books of history.
Though there may be several accounts of heroic deeds of women during war, many women were subject to atrocities.
Rape was always regarded as a by-product of war. Even small girls and infants were not spared.
Atrocities during World War - II against women reached its new peak. Both before and during World War II, thousands of female sex slaves were forced to deliver sexual services. These women were called “comfort women” or “military sex slaves”. Abducted females, as young as eleven years old, were imprisoned in military camps known as "comfort stations" and raped. These “comfort women” were forced to service as many as fifty soldiers a day. They were often beaten and starved. They were simply discarded when they got too sick to be of any use.
Most of these comfort women could not bear children or tell their loves ones of their forced prostitution in the comfort stations. One woman's husband did find out about her past and told her - “Better to have a left over dog, then a left over person.” He then left for another woman.
The testimonies of ex-soldiers explained how they were encouraged to go to comfort stations. One exclaimed, “We were told we could do what we want to do, so we raped in the battlefield in enemy zone.” Another ex-soldier stated a story of raping a woman who had smeared feces to deter him of rape. He raped her nonetheless.
There are other innumerable instances of violence against women all around the globe - both during and post-war.
Violence against women is now no longer tolerated. United Nations has set up international law that considers violence against women a crime against humanity. However, the law alone will not stop the violence. Internationally and locally, we all must demand peace as our right.
Women are the most sufferers of the atrocities resulting due to war. Indeed, War is the science of destruction.
“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.”
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
