I am writing a new post after a long time..after more than an year. I keep promising myself that I will write regularly but due to some or other reason it doesn't happen.
Today it's International Woman's Day. In India, at social level i.e. in Media as well as in Government this day is being celebrated overwhelmingly. This is good change that's being seen in 21st century. It also shows the changing mindset of Indians..be it of government, of media or of common people towards women. Women empowerment is definitely an important aspect in any civilized society. When we look at Indian history..right from the ancient times like during Ramayana Age till 1947 when India got independence from British Rule, women were always treated as secondary in male dominated society. From 19Th century onwards, women education started in India which was a turning point for Indian woman. As an effect of this we can see changing face of Indian society where at least now women can lead their independent life.
Now here comes the key question....Is Indian Woman living Happy Life with quality education, good job and independence? I mean good education, good job opportunities and financial and social independence in liberal India looks very lucrative from woman's perspective specifically in urban India.
But this is a phase of social transition wherein on one hand woman is getting more independent and empowered while on the other hand she has to go through a lot of turbulent emotions. Yesterday I was watching a reality show wherein loyalty of your love partner is tested using detectives and hidden cameras. There was this case of a young model of 18 years of age. This lady earlier had a boyfriend at her age of 14 with whom she had a painful breakup. Now at 18 she had found a new love in a young choreographer. This young man couldn't pass the loyalty test and the lady found out that her boyfriend was a cheater. So this lady went through another painful breakup. This and similar emotional traumas might have been experienced by a lot urban girls or boys. This is an impact of a sudden independence received by woman who are financially active.
In last 10 years rate of divorce in Indian urban society has increased drastically. Indian Penal Code has laws like IPC 498a or Domestic Violence Act which give power to women to file a complain against any torture and cruelty by their husband and any of his relative(irrespective of their age...be it small kid or the old person). Just the statement of a woman is enough for an FIR under these laws and these are non-compoundable offences. According to Govt. of India statistical data only 2% of the cases under 498a are proved in the court and rest 98% couldn't be proved in the court. This is one example which proves how judiciary which is meant for woman empowerment is being misused. The problem is not just the misuse of these laws but after they are being misused divorce is inevitable. This is another emotional and social trauma for the woman.
These are some of the implications of gender inequality or in feminist words "equality for women." Women shouldn't be harassed or there shouldn't be any discrimination against woman. No doubt about it. But this is also a fact that there are natural differences between man and woman. There are not just physical differences but there are emotional differences as well. And hence the feminist concept of man-woman equality is wrong. Of course this doesn't give born superiority right to man or woman is not inferior. But it is to be understood that man and woman are different for sure. So while empowering women let's not create gender bias or inequality in society.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
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