The #MeToo online drive against sexual harassment has grown exponentially as it turned into a potent tool to expose sexual harassment at workplaces. The campaign, which was initiated by African American activist Tarana Burke, has brought down hundreds of alleged sex offenders in its initial phase. But the obsession with salacious stories has undermined the global campaign.
“There is so much talk and focus on individual perpetrators and salacious stories and very little conversation about the people who actually said ‘me too’,” noted Burke, the founder of the movement which really took off after actress Alyssa Milano exposed Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in late 2017.
Burke also remarked that the campaign should not be a gender war. It’s not anti-male and must not limit to a particular section of the society. Not just the white, the famous, the powerful or the women but it is for everyone undergoing such painful experiences.
As the movement rages on in India, the government is set to form a group of ministers to look into the lacunae in the existing law of sexual harassment. It is high time human rights are protected. When the vulnerable and helpless proclaims their bitter experiences let us encourage and stand for them.