WOMEN EMPOWERMENT BY ME

WILL IT ALWAYS BE A MAN’S WORLD?

When I think about how I was introduced to this topic and how I developed or rather understood this concept of gender inequality I thought of this adage:

 

“Behind every successful man there is a woman!”

Our credible forefathers have left us with time honoured tradition and many sayings as the one stated above, well the very existence of this saying shows that women have been underrated! In the moral stated above, woman has to be ‘behind’ that successful man to redeem her presence. Will she always have to “behind” her better half to prove herself..will she ever come forward and match up let alone surpass? This essay is an ode to all those women who need to realise their true worth and command reverence.

In my highly religious and “peace-loving” country, women have been mistreated in the past and even now , this is true, however crass and bitter it may sound. For example, if we look at our country’s so called glorious history, women who have tried to display prowess and leadership skills have been put to the grave or burnt at the stake. Rani Laxmibai died in a battle where her own kingdom revolted against her because they couldn’t bear the thought of a female sitting on the throne. Same was the case with Razia Sultana, who took over her father’s throne upon his death but soon received the same fate as her father did. These women have been the epitome of female aversion and insult.

The 21st century is different, with high literacy rates and a cosmopolitan feature visible, women have gotten a voice but is it heard? A statistical study shows that about 93.47% of India is rural and illiteracy is still rampant. Patriarchal society has positively no expectations from women. They consider them as a “tool” to run the domestic chores and provide for the family tree by giving birth. Her opinions do not matter in financial talks. It seems that the woman in rural areas have also given up. When we look at the concept of an Indian marriage, the cracks of our society are displayed, the dowry system still exists in most of the villages, it is done under covers. It is quite appalling to see that a female who leaves her home, an organ of her life behind, has to pay for it. In my perspective dowry is given because ‘she’ is considering a liability and the transfer of liability comes with a price. Men, on the other hand in marriage have to ride on a steed and arrive royally at the wedding place.

People like us who live in developed, cosmopolitan cities hardly get to witness these bitter facets of life. But that doesn’t mean they cease to exist. Some conservative families still practice them in the name of ‘preserving our culture’ ; e.g.. women have to eat after their husbands have finished, they have to eat from their husband’s plate. Doesn’t she atleast deserve another plate? There are also things like; ‘women can’t enter temples when they are on their periods.’ No matter how absurd it sounds, it is the truth. Even, Shakespeare, who by some is considered the greatest writer of all times called woman a “weaker vessel” in his play ‘As You Like It’ 

Is this illiteracy or just negligence? Well according to me women need to stand up for what they believe in, the concept of “go with the flow” proves to be catastrophic in this scenario. Women need to proudly and loudly declare their significance! The need to wake up because there are malevolent, chauvinistic and misogynistic men out there who can rape for carnal pleasure.

Thus, women need to break through the shackles of society, let alone maintain and promote their significance. An essay of 450-500 words may not contribute even an iota to their struggle but I hope this implores all women to not be satisfied with what they’ve got, because:

“Life is way beyond just being an instrument for both and running the family”