This situation breeds a political milieu where it is difficult for a community which has been stereotyped, marginalized and stigmatized because of its differences to even begin to talk about sensitive issues. And violence is a sensitive issue. Yet, and despite the external forces, South Asian feminists have been actively involved in the community, raising awareness about issues of violence both in the community and the society at large. Raising awareness is one thing. Action is the other.
Institutional action is necessary if laws and policies are to be put into practice.
Rajwar Gakhal tried to protect herself by turning to her family and police. She made the latter aware of her situation. With a mandatory charging policy in place, it is difficult to understand why the RCMP did not pursue the case, and why, they issued gun permits to a man who had already expressed his violent intentions. In a societal context where there is a clearly recognized disparity between women and men in terms of their access to power and resources, those with less power and fewer resources can only turn to the state to support and protect them. Some have argued that the state can no longer do this and that in this era of fiscal restraints, women have to take it upon themselves to seek social justice and protection.