Sketching a change in favour of rape victims

Horrified, crying in despair and terrorised are some of the graphics used to depict a rape survivor in the media. But the focus, feel members of Breakthrough — a Delhi-based NGO, should be on the perpetrators and not the victim. The NGO has now begun a campaign titled Redraw Misogyny, that aims to change the way gender-based violence is reported.

Speaking about the campaign, that is in association with Instagram, Purva from Breakthrough says, “While reporting rape and molestation cases, women are portrayed as powerless objects, whose identities are shaped by the tragedy that befell them. They are worthy only of our pity, capable only of silent mourning. This initiative aims to combat that perception by providing content sharing platforms with graphics that can be used for sensitised reporting.”

A number of illustrations depicting this change has been designed by the several artists from across India. Hanadi Falki, an author and a sketch artist who came to participate in the campaign from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh says, “When I read about this initiative, I felt connected and I have a background in sketching so I thought why not contribute? And it is an amazing initiative to bring a change.”

Some of the illustrations that take the focus away from survivors of sexual abuse and put the spotlight on the perpetrators