Decoding the #MeToo movement

It was a great learning experience to moderate a panel discussion on MeToo at the prestigious INK talks 2018.

I got the opportunity to study the subject of sexual harassment and the MeToo movement on greater depth.

Thanks to Pankaj Rai, Antara Telang and Sister Jesme for agreeing to be part of this panel.

I would like to share some of the key takeaways from the event .

Background of MeToo movement .

For those of you who may not know - it was started by a very courageous African American woman by the name of Tarana Burke in 2006. Way before twitter became popular. She simply took a piece of paper and write in sheet exasperation #MeToo. As it to express deep sympathy and compassion to fellow women. To indicate that You are not Alone. She worked tirelessly on the movement.

However the movement picked up steam on 17 Oct, 2017 when Alyssa Milano broke the internet with her tweet #MeToo. Within 24 hours there were 12 million impressions ! If this were a disease we would have eradicated it by now. People often don’t realise that an act of violence causes a certain kind of death in the body. 

Key takeaways from the panel 

- Women need to have the courage to speak. To be “ comfortable being uncomfortable “ and this needs a lot of work 

- Men can play a more active , collaborate role in helping initiate the dialogue with women around them. To be more proactive to talk about these issues and show that they care

- We need to encourage women and men to “ tear down that wall of shame” so we can have a meaningful dialogue

- Let us learn to cherish the whistle blower 

- Let us recognise that it is the consistent “ microaggressions” in the work place that eventually lead to sexual violence. So let’s raise the bar on good behaviour and have a zero tolerance policy

- Side effects - let us work on ensuring that this movement does not undo years of progress where men have mentored women. Let’s work hard on “ equal access” to women and men

- We need to focus on the next generation and teach our sons to respect and nurture and teach our daughters to be bold and courageous

- This is the moment we can create an “inter generational Buffering” and change the course of history 

Speaking the truth should not an act of revolution. Let us ensure we speak the truth not only when is is difficult But Particularly when it is difficult.

Let this not be a moment but a “movement”.

#MeToo

#MeTooIndia

@Pankaj Rai

@lathika pai

INKtalks