• Much of the global epidemic of VAW stems from a global crisis of toxic masculinity. Therefore, we cannot begin to bring an end to violence against women without addressing, and changing, the characteristics of masculinity that position women as inferior to men. Or that men have to be women’s protectors or saviors. It just can’t happen.
• Laws and governance in India and beyond must have women’s safety in security in mind, of course. But in order to truly eradicate the violence, we need to focus on prevention. We need to use cultural change to stop these heinous acts from happening in the first place. And this violent/rape/misogynistic culture needs to be changed by men.
• A recent Thomson-Reuters survey called India the “worst place for women”. Whether or not this is true, or neglects the fact that VAW and misogyny are truly global problems, is besides the point. I have said it many times before: I believe at this moment, in India and across the globe, we stand at a global tipping point for making the world a better place for women, and consequently, for everyone. You can just feel the energy. There is certainly a lot more work to be done, but I feel as if there is no turning back from here.

What a way to start the day! Thanks again to all the wonderful women and men who made this possible. Onward!

These men gave us a vision of the future that is closer than ever, a future where women and girls — and by extension families, neighborhoods and nations — are safe and healthy. I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all of these male allies, along with the women and men who have already been working so tirelessly for a world free of gender-based violence.

By working together as allies and partners, I truly believe men and women can together help make this world a reality.

On the outreach front, I have been featured in the Room for Debate section of the New York Times. I participated in a story by my friend Arun Venugopal at WNYC, and was interviewed on KALW in San Francisco. Sonali has been getting the word out as well, appearing in multiple TV interviews. And the opportunities for response keep on coming.

I am filled with deep anger and sorrow–sorrow that this brave young woman died, and anger at the levels of violence that women face at home, in the streets and in the workplace every day. I am also angry that it took such a brutal incident for the country to react and take to the streets. And as well-intentioned as it may be, one narrative that is also making me angry is the one that calls on men to think about women as their mother, sister, wife or daughter–as if this relational understanding will somehow lead to a change in mindset and make men allies. This kind of thinking only reinforces the relational and dependent way in which men view women. And women certainly don’t experience any kind of equality as a wife, mother, sister or daughter in their homes. Men need to change their mindsets and see women as fully human, as full citizens, as people entitled to human rights in their own right!

All of that said, I have been particularly heartened to see the number of young men joining women in demanding change and accountability for women’s safety and security. I am hoping that this moment will mark India’s transition from a country that is the worst place for women to one that will lead the charge for serious recognition of women’s human rights the world over.