A country doing well definitely reflects upon the active role of its women. That India as an economy is doing well augurs well for its women. Professionally, we find so many more women in the workplaces leading good careers and generally in control of their lives. Personally too, they are at much better positions. Living in urban India, it would be difficult to visualize that even today in rural India, many women lead powerless lives. They get no education, not much of an upbringing and have no say in anything related to their own lives. The disparities and inequities in wealth distribution and rights of women across regions in India is staggering.
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate womanhood and empowerment of women. Indian woman has always been regarded with a certain respect right from the days of the scriptures. She has been worshipped as Durga, Kali, and Shakti — all powerful forms. But, somehow along the years, her position got sidelined. The draconian dowry system along with the cost of marriage shenanigans for a daughter led to an insatiable demand for sons. Female infanticides and foeticides are realities even today, and every family longs for a male child to carry forward their family name.
Changes are coming forth but at a slow pace. Definitely, education is the key. An educated girl can provide financial independence to her family. Crime against women has to be strictly punished. We need to nurture our girl child to provide real empowerment to our women folk. Our decadent cultural practices are evolving too and along with them the mindsets.
A nation can truly become a superpower, if all its citizens contribute and share in its hopes and fortunes. Hope, we are all able to experience a much more progressive India, where all its girls will have the freedom to choose their destiny.
Amen! Are there political parties that have the advancement of women in their political program? Vote for them!
Very well said, why just rural India rachna, in urban India too in homes, do we get equal rights? but that is another issue altogether.
Just now watched Sahara News ( that is the only one which I get here> disgusted on seeing our MPs rush to the speaker and tear the “Bill”
I am dreading going out today, someone or the other is sure to ask why our MPs don’t have any manners. feel like whacking each one of them. Really ashamed.
todays women r better than yday..and tomorrows should be better than todays…i mean, lets hope so buddy…
todays women r better than yday..and tomorrows should be better than todays…i mean, lets hope so buddy…
@Bart Yes, all political parties talk about empowerment of women. In most cases, sadly, it is just hogwash:(
@Bhagyashree I know, Bhagyashree. It is sad that the women’s reservation bill was interrupted in this way. Seeing women politicians like Mayawati and Jayalalitha, corrupt to the core; I don’t even know whether we can hope a lot with having more women politicians. It is getting better for women of our generation, at least, even in our personal lives. So there’s hope in the longer term.
@R.Ramesh Yes, let’s hope. But, it can be expedited with conscious effort on the part of the state as well as its citizens.
Ur writtings will definetely bring a change in our society. 🙂
@Chandrika I wish that this could be achieved 🙂
Here in N/W-Europe, we have had three waves of feminism in the past two centuries. The most recent one ~30-ish years ago, put women literally on the barricades. It caused quite a ruckus. Some women felt the need to actively distance themselves from the movement. In the end, the discussion did cause many to reconsider the status quo.
Is there a women’s movement in India? And what is the tone and atmosphere?
Hey Bart,
There is no single movement in India. There are smaller groups of women for different issues right from better rights for lower-caste women to freedom of education to domestic violence and so on. The tone becomes aggressive sometimes. Most political parties especially the Congress make the right noises, and, to be fair, they do some work, but it is way too slow. The NGOs and women’s organizations are much more vehement.
This is a country of such dichotomies, where we have had women PM and President, Doctors, astronauts, professionals in all fields. Yet, we read and know about atrocities on women, every single day. Strict and timely enforcement of punishment is another problem area.
@Bart
This is a nice article though longish, on this subject
http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/india1-cn.htm
I could not agree with you more…..thanks for visiting my blog. looking forward to many more. will follow u too.
@nituscorner Thanks for visiting. I look forward to learning more about you, your experiences and Shillong.