Woman or Woe-man

In 1722, Samuel Richardson wrote a novel about a teen named “Pamela or Virtue Rewarded” that covers the story of a fifteen-year-old maid who falls in love with the son of her mistress after the mistress dies. As the story moves forward, Pamela gets abducted and receives rape threats. The story ends with Pamela marrying her abuser, which is seen as virtuous.
Literature is often the reflection of our society, and the stories it holds repeats itself over the course of time.  Fast forward to April 2026, a female student was raped in her own school premises by a clerk. And it is very unfortunate that whenever such incidents take place in our society, a certain group of people are out there who starts blaming the victim. Some blame her dress, and some blame her parents for sending her to school. According to the Bangladesh Police, the total number of cases of women and children repression in March this year was 1485.  This is the number of cases reported, but hundreds more go unregistered by the family due to societal pressure. 
Rape is surely one of the most heinous one among all the crimes. Rapists have no conscience. They victimise even a breastfeeding baby or a woman in her late 70’s. However, the act becomes more shameful for a victim and her family after the incident gets registered. The clearest proof of this is the fact that the victim’s identity is publicised while the rapist’s remains hidden. Whereas, the first concern should have been to keep the victim’s identity hidden, as rape victims and their families are often shamed. And it is really heart-wrenching that, as these cases come to the surface, the nerve-wracking game of victim-blaming starts. Questions are raised about everything related to the victim. What was she wearing? Why was she sent to school instead of a madrasa? What were physical her gestures? Why did she not maintain parda (veil) and whatnot?
According to a survey, the female population of the country is nearly 50.83%, which is more than its male population.  Of this, 42% of women are working and contributing to the economy. Moreover, the government has taken initiatives to improve the lives of women in general, especially in terms of educating them. Both government and non-government organisations have worked to develop women in our society i.e., introducing SDG targets on gender equality and women empowerment. Yet, we fall short in providing basic security for women in our society. 
The severest punishment for rape in our country is life imprisonment. However, to reach a verdict, the victim must testify and describe the incident in extreme detail. The rules that were built to bring justice turn into torture for the victim. Yet, there is no assurance of whether the victim will receive justice at all. 
As soon as the sun goes, the roads that seem just right during the daylight turn into mousetraps, and the victims have no idea what they are walking into. For centuries, the scenario and concept of a woman have remained the same; if she makes an error, she is questioned, and even when she is a victim, she is questioned. So, what does it make one, a woman or a woe-man?