Being women in an unequal world

While we all like to perpetuate the myth of gender equality, how true is it in our patriarchal society? We ask some youngsters what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. Are we living better lives than that of our mothers and grandmothers? The answers don’t surprise.

Priyal Mahatta | Delhi

To be born as a woman in this age is both a privilege and a challenge. Living in today’s society, I can sense the deep-rooted grip of patriarchal values in more than one aspect of life. I feel the pinch of gender barriers at extremely personal levels, like choosing the time of travelling. Even as I discuss my career aspirations with my family or relatives, I learn that, as women, we “must” choose professions that allow us to balance our professional and household duties. More importantly, this balance is a “must” for me and many other young girls like me, but never has this been a barrier for men.

However, it is also undeniable that we are progressing towards greater gender equality. Women now have more liberty to work and prove themselves, but there is still a long way for society to radically address the values that have given rise to this patriarchal mindset and achieve complete equality. Just because women have been conditioned to live with these barriers for centuries does not mean that the significance of this fight has been reduced in any way.

I have seen my mother and other women of her age giving up on their professional aspirations. It makes me sad. What, however, is rewarding is also beautiful that they promise us the freedom to shape our lives whichever way we like. The problems that we face are almost similar, but as women of different generations, I feel more empowered to fight them.

Archo Fatima Nissa | Ladakh

All of us have to face gender barriers. We are told to behave in a certain way, keep within the socially constructed setups. In our society, we still see that, among siblings, the needs of boys are paid more attention to. Parents want them to grow to be heads of the family or society. The girls, thus, are subjugated in every aspect of life. This builds notions — both perceived and real — about gender inequality. I look at my mother and feel that she and I are totally different from each other. To use a fancy term, she is a homemaker, but in reality, she is an uneducated woman who looks after the house and kids. Period. She has lived a typical life, in her own little world. To the outside world, she does not matter. On the contrary, I live away from my hometown. I have the freedom to study what I want to. I do not have to ask anyone before heading out and before doing something. Yes, my family and friends are key to my being, but I do feel I am empowered. Still, I know that while I may be aware of my rights and duties, we really need to reinforce gender equality for society to change.

Ramanpreet Kaur | Punjab

I find myself surrounded by discrimination based on opportunities all the time. Girls in my village have very little freedom when it comes to choosing what to study after Class X. Most fathers have a prejudiced view towards their daughters’ field of study. Their career choices, if any, are pre-decided according to what they think is ‘apt’ for a girl.

Manpreet Kaur | Punjab

I feel mothers, and not just their daughters, are unaware about the concept of gender (in)equality. Owing to the crimes perpetrated against women in today’s times, they are made to believe that their grandmother’s era was better in terms of safety. However, I agree that we have more freedom and independence comparatively.

Vinica Bhatt | Jammu

Swami Vivekananda has said, “It is impossible to think about the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is impossible for a bird to fly on only one wing.”

I am a woman and I do not feel any less than a man because I haven’t grown up in a family where girls and boys are raised differently. But I know that not every girl is raised like that. It is true that condition of women has improved a lot, but cases of female infanticide, domestic violence and sexual harassment make me wonder if things are really improving? What we do realise is that we need change. What we don’t realise is that change does not need a big step. Maintaining a gender-sensitive environment around you can contribute in changing the society. While most of us are for gender equality on social media, only a more pro-active approach in daily life can make a difference. The rising number of crimes against women poses an urgent need for gender-sensitive education and upbringing. The only way to an equal society is to educate and not incite. We should concentrate on minimising the problems that women face and eventually eradicating them. A big step in this direction is raising our sons and daughters without any bias. We cannot deny the fact that as compared to the past, we have achieved a lot, however, there is still a long way to go. — TNS