So WE Reap!
How far have the women in India come forward to claim their rights?
If anyone had asked me this question last week, with complete ignorance I would have replied. " A lot" . My vision of women empowerment or independence for this matter has been narrowly restricted to the confines of my upbringing, school, college and work place, where I should not deny that women have been treated with respect and dignity. I for one have always been from childhood, extremely sensitive about the equality of men and women and would never leave a stone unturned to make my point clear to any male chauvinist I happen to encounter.
But fortunately or rather unfortunately, I happened visit my Native village, and a couple of other villages around it and Man was I shocked by the way women behave( NOTE: i did not mention men ill treat the women. cos that is the bitter truth) I was extremely saddened by the plight of these women who are brought up in a place, where they cant even feel the independence and surely don't lack it.
And I am truly ashamed to say that I could not voice my opinions for the fear of ruining their sentiments and so called culture. what would they think of me ? 'As a independent women showing growth'? No. As a stubborn , arrogant women who lacks respect for men. shortly a female chauvinist. But hey! am not one. I speak about equality.
When will these women realize they are being walked upon on? why is it that in a construction/ agricultural field they are payed way less than that of men, even though they work and toil themselves equally if not more than men?
These are almost the first generation of women who went to WORK. Sadly, it is we who have fed on what they have toiled hard to produce who speak of equality, feminism and everything while they are not even sure they exist?
This is not a plea or a disgrace. This is just an eye opener for me! :-(
For many in India, equality is only limited to books
ReplyDeleteAnd wife-beating is more common than we think
That is just how it works, innit? One end of the spectrum advances while the other end stays put... and that's how we define "progress".
ReplyDeleteOn another point of yours... where you didn't voice your opinions for fear of being misunderstood... hey! if women like you and me aren't going to educate these women and tell about them what's rightfully theirs, there isn't going to be much empowerment anyway. For then we are eating our share of the cake and not telling others that they have a right to a piece as well.
Keep writing :)
~Sanz
http://sanz360.wordpress.com/
Eye opener indeed, but if u dont ask, u dont get is how the world works !
ReplyDeleteThey should be made to know about their rights and then the uprising shall come.
When i first came to UK from India before 2 months i was so happy to see women doing jobs which men would always do in India.
India should learn from western countries on 'equality of sexes'
We are more cultured as compared to 'goras' but we really are centuries behind when it comes on 'how to treat human beings'
Brilliant Post, Keep it up !