1. Weaponizing Rape: An Examination of
its Historical and Mythological Roots
Name: Debanjali Paul
USN no.: 21MAREN006
Name of research supervisor: Nikunj P. Trivedi, PhD.
2. Weaponizing rape through an interdisciplinary approach that draws on
mythology, and historical accounts of war and invasion.
Rape has been used as a tool of violence, oppression, and terror
throughout history, and the various cultural factors that contribute to its
persistence as a weapon of war.
Myths and legends of ancient civilizations, war and invasion, the role of
rape in the conquest and colonization of territories and the ways in
which it has been used to assert dominance and control over
populations.
Fornation of international Mother Language Day
Introduction
3. UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF THE WEAPONIZATION OF RAPE
AND ITS LONG-TERM IMPACTS ON VICTIMS AND SOCIETIES.
UNDERSTAND THE POST-RAPE HUMILIATION AND CRIMINALIZATION
THROUGH NORMALIZED SOCIAL STIGMAS AGAINST THE VICTIMS.
EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF RAPE ON THE LIVES OF VICTIMS AND THE
COMMUNITIES THAT FACED THE REPERCUSSIONS OF IT.
CRITICALLY ANALYZE THE ROOT OF HOW INTERNATIONAL MOTHER
LANGUAGE DAY CAME INTO EXISTENCE.
OBJECTIVES
4. Research Questions
Examining the post-war realities of wartime rape
victims, in terms of compensation and recognition
around the world.
Scrutinizing historical conflicts such as World War II,
and the Bangladesh Liberation War, as well as the
invasion of Genghis Khan in India, to understand the
motivations behind the purpose of genocidal rape.
Analyzing the influence of language as a part of
cultural identity in Bangladesh Liberation War and the
violence committed on the Bengali community.
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Exploring the depiction of rape in various
mythological incidents, including The Rape of Eve in
Christian mythology, Medusa in Greek mythology,
The Sabine Women in Roman mythology, the Rape
of Rambha in Indian mythology, and The Rape of
Rindr in Norse mythology.
5. Historical Research Cultural Analysis
The historical research
method would involve
examining historical
documents and accounts of
the three conflicts, which
include World War II, the
Bangladesh Liberation War,
as well as Genghis Khan's
invasion of India.
The cultural analysis would involve a
close examination of the representation
of rape in various mythological incidents,
such as The Rape of Eve in Christian
mythology, Medusa in Greek mythology,
The Sabine Women in Roman mythology,
The Rape of Rambha in Hindu
mythology, and The Rape of Rindr in
Norse mythology. Through the cultural
analysis, this research would also analyse
how rape was weaponized to eradicate
language and cultural identities in World
War II and Bangladesh Liberation War.
METHODOLOGY
Survivor
Narratives
The survivor narratives method would
involve gathering and analyzing the
experiences and perspectives of survivors of
wartime rape through written testimonials
and interviews from authenticated and
verified internet-based sources, in order to
access a wider range of survivor perspectives,
including those from people who may have
had difficulty speaking out about their
experiences.
7. Analyze the existence of rape culture and the first documentation
of it by analyzing it through mythology, wars, and invasions.
two specific wars which would be World War II, and Bangladesh
Liberation War; one invasion that will concentrate on the invasion
of Genghis Khan in India.
The role that rape played in various mythological incidents,
including The Rape of Eve in Christian mythology, Medusa in Greek
mythology, The Sabine Women in Roman mythology, the Rape of
Rambha in Indian mythology, and The Rape of Rindr in Norse
mythology, to shed light on the historical roots of rape. e
The significance of International Mother Language Day by
examining the Bangladesh Liberation War and analyzing the role
that language and cultural identity play in weaponizing rape.
Introduction
8. Collection of testimonials that
highlight the experiences of women
who played a significant role in
Bangladesh's independence
movement. The author draws on
interviews with women who were
involved in the movement as guerrilla
fighters, nurses, activists, and
journalists, among other roles. The
testimonials shed light on the
challenges that women faced during
the war, including violence, sexual
assault, and discrimination, while also
celebrating their courage, resilience,
and determination.
"The War Heroine Speaks: A Special
Series on Women and Bangladesh's
Independence War" (2012) by
Anushay Hossain
Review of Literature
Rape as a Weapon of War and its
Long-term Effects on Victims and
Society" (2008) by Cassandra Clifford
The use of rape as a tool of power and
control in conflict zones and the devastating
long-term impact on victims and society.
The paper discusses the prevalence of
sexual violence in war and conflict and the
need for greater awareness and support for
survivors. The author emphasizes the
importance of trauma-informed care for
survivors and highlights the need for
accountability and justice for perpetrators.
The paper provides important insights into
the impact of rape as a weapon of war and
the urgent need to address this issue.
"Violence Against Women and the Role
of Religion" (2005) by Rev. Dr. Marie M.
Fortune and Rabbi Cindy G. Enger
The relationship between different religions
and violence against women. The authors
argue that religious beliefs and practices can
either contribute to or mitigate violence
against women and that religious leaders
have a responsibility to address this issue. The
paper provides an overview of different
religious traditions and their views on gender
roles, sexuality, and violence against women.
The authors emphasize the importance of
challenging patriarchal interpretations of
religious texts that have been used to justify
violence against women. The paper
emphasizes the role of religious leaders in
addressing violence against women, including
providing support to victims, educating their
communities, and challenging cultural norms
that perpetuate violence against women.
9. Hypostasis of the Archons, one of the earliest Gnostic-
Christian texts, an event has been documented on the account
of the rape of Eve in a slightly different way than the biblical
account. According to the text, Eve was not created by God,
but rather by the "rulers". The text suggests that the rulers
were jealous of humanity's potential for spiritual enlightenment
and sought to keep them in a state of ignorance and
bondage. Hence, they created Eve and placed her in the
Garden of Eden with Adam, intending to use her to deceive
and manipulate him. The rulers raped eve when she tried to
disobey them. It highlights the ongoing struggle between the
rulers and those who seek to break free from their oppressive
influence.
Tracing Mythological
Roots
The Rape of Rambha when she was dancing in a grove and was spotted
by the powerful demon king Ravana. Rambha rejects his advances as a
married woman, thus, Ravana used his magical powers to abduct, capture
and rape Rambha in his palace for several days. Ravana releases her
after realizing his wrongdoings. It portrays Ravana as a figure who is so
consumed by his own desires that he is willing to overlook and violate the
rights and dignity of others.
As part of their conquest, the
Roman soldiers abducted the
Sabine women, many of whom
were raped and forced into
marriages with their captors. This
myth reinforces the notion that
women are the spoils of war, and it
is acceptable to use them for
sexual pleasure or as a means of
exerting power over conquered
people.
When Rindr rejected Odin's advances and refused to marry
him, Odin sought revenge by raping her. The assault left Rindr
pregnant, and she gave birth to a son named Vali, who was
destined to avenge his mother's assault by killing Odin. The
rape of Rindr highlights the theme of male entitlement and the
use of sexual violence as a means of asserting power and
control over women. It also underscores the lasting impact of
trauma and violence on survivors and their families, as Vali's
destiny was forever shaped by the violence committed against
his mother.
Medusa was raped by Poseidon in the
temple of Athena. As punishment for
being violated in her sacred temple,
Athena transformed Medusa into a
Gorgon, a creature so hideous that
anyone who looked at her would turn to
stone. Medusa was then banished to an
isolated island where she lived out the
rest of her days. The story of the rape of
Medusa illustrates the use of sexual
violence as a means of asserting power
and control over women, as well as the
devastating consequences of such
violence. It also highlights the theme of
victim-blaming, as Medusa was
punished for being violated in a sacred
space rather than the perpetrator being
held accountable for his actions.
10. During the Mongol invasions of India in
the 13th century, the Mongol army
engaged in widespread sexual violence
against Indian women, using rape as a
weapon of war.
One of the most significant instances of
sexual violence committed by the
Mongols during their invasion of India
was the sack of the city of Delhi in 1221.
Women were systematically targeted and
subjected to rape and sexual violence by
the Mongol soldiers, who used them as a
means of entertainment and as a tool of
psychological warfare.
The Mongols engaged in similar tactics
in other regions they conquered,
including China, Central Asia, and
Eastern Europe.
Women from conquered territories were
subjected to sexual violence and
enslavement, often being taken as
concubines or sold into slavery.
Understanding
Historical Roots
World War II saw widespread sexual violence
committed against women and girls in occupied
territories by soldiers from all sides, including the
Axis powers and the Allied forces.
Nazi soldiers were known to commit rape in
conquered territories, including Poland, the Soviet
Union, and Yugoslavia. Women and girls from
Jewish communities were also subjected to sexual
violence in concentration camps and ghettos.
The Japanese Imperial Army also engaged in
widespread sexual violence during the war.
The "comfort women" were subjected to brutal
treatment, including rape, torture, and forced
abortions.
American and British soldiers committed rape
against women in Germany and France during the
war, and Soviet soldiers were responsible for a
significant amount of sexual violence in Germany,
as well as in Eastern Europe.
The mass rape of German women by Soviet
soldiers during the fall of Berlin is perhaps the
most well-known example of sexual violence
committed by the Allies during the war.
The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, was
marked by widespread sexual violence
against women, with rape being used as a
weapon of war by the Pakistani Army.
The war continued for nine- month long.
The Pakistani Army used rape as a means
of intimidating and terrorizing the local
population, with women being subjected to
sexual violence both in their homes and in
public spaces.
The scale of sexual violence committed
during the Bangladesh Liberation War was
unprecedented.
According to some estimates, as many as
200,000 women and girls were raped by
the Pakistani Army and their collaborators.
Women from all walks of life were
targeted, with pregnant women, young
girls, and elderly women also being
subjected to sexual violence.
The use of rape as a weapon of war during
the Bangladesh Liberation War had a
devastating impact on survivors and their
communities.
11. The role of language and cultural identity inn the Bangladesh Liberation War, this paper aims to highlight the significance of cultural identity and the
use of rape as a tool to erase cultural identity.
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21st, was established by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural
diversity and to promote multilingualism. This day is significant because it commemorates the Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh, where
students were killed by police while demonstrating for recognition of their mother language, Bengali, as a national language.
The significance of International Mother Language Day through the lens of the Bangladesh Liberation War is that it highlights the importance of
preserving cultural identity and recognizing the value of different languages and cultures. The use of rape as a weapon of war was an attack on the
cultural identity of the Bangladeshi people, and the recognition of mother languages, such as Bengali, promotes cultural diversity and helps to
preserve the unique identities of different communities. International Mother Language Day also emphasizes the importance of promoting linguistic
and cultural diversity, which is particularly relevant in the context of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The conflict was marked by attempts to suppress
the Bengali language and culture, and the use of rape as a tool of warfare was a direct attack on the cultural identity of the Bangladeshi people.
The Importance of
Language
12. Throughout history, the weaponization of rape in war has been a
devastating reality for countless individuals and communities. While the
practice of using rape as a tool of warfare has been influenced by a
variety of factors, including political, economic, and social factors,
mythology has played a significant role in shaping attitudes towards
sexual violence in times of war. From the ancient myths of the
abduction of women to the widespread use of rape as a weapon of
war in modern conflicts, the impact of these stories on societal
attitudes and beliefs cannot be ignored.
Conclusion
