Vaishali Rathi writes about the need for Women Empowerment in India.
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”
— Diane Mariechild
Delivering multiple roles effortlessly at the same time, no wonder, women are the backbone of the society. Adoring daughters, gentle mothers, proficient colleagues and an extensive range of many other roles are played by women without flaw.
Still in the 21st century, they are also the ignored fraction of the society. Women have tolerated the inequality, cruelty, financial dependability and other social evils. For centuries now, they are under captivity that curbs them from achieving professional as well as personal dignity. Sati in old centuries to the present rape culture, women are punished for no fault of theirs. Denying education wasn’t enough so they curbed the right to worship as well. It is blissful to worship the bleeding goddess but because the woman bleeds, don’t let her near the idol, God will get angry. On one hand, goddess are worshiped for health, wealth and knowledge and on the other, women are denied all of them. It is high time, women should be allowed the dignified life they are entitled to.
Fortunate enough to take birth, unlike their sisters in other parts of the world, girls are not sent to schools. Their life is confined within the four walls of the kitchen as that is the ‘Indian tradition’. Not because educating women will benefit the economy or the well-being of the family, women should be educated so that she is independent take decisions of her life. She should be educated so that she knows how to exercise her rights against the atrocities. She should be educated so that she can live her dreams. She should be educated so that she is not denied her fundamental right.
Fortunate enough to pursue education, get job women are not able to live a happy life because the part of their body that gives birth makes them vulnerable to the lust of the society. Eve-teasing, bad stares, vulgar comments, rapes women are safe nowhere. From home to office, bus-stop to airport, roads to five star hotels, a woman has to be careful and stressed about her life. Women should be given self-defence lessons so they can be anywhere without any male escorting them to make sure she is safe.
Empowering women is not just about educating them, it is about respecting their individuality, their freedom. It is not providing opportunities, it is making sure they are able to use them. In this patriarchal society, equal rights would help women come up.
Even the glamorous Bollywood discriminates against women. The unequal payment for equal work discourages women.
A woman should not be empowered to become another Chanda Kocher but for she can live her life the way she wants. Women should be empowered to not only because they will be able to afford quality nutrition to their children but because they will lead a healthy life. Women should be empowered so that she can take equal participation in the decision making. Women should be empowered to defend themselves.
