INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: HAVE THINGS CHANGED OR ANOTHER YEAR OF HOLLOW WORDS AND SPEECHES?
Antara Roy Bhattacharjee... now is the time to recognise the rights of women.
By ANTARA ROY BHATTACHARJEE
Author & Educationist
March 8 is not just an ordinary day. It has global significance as it is The United Nations International Women’s Day: the day to take note and remind ourselves of women’s continued pivotal role in our national and international development.
Personally, the number 8 has some emotional semblance to me, as my birth date also falls on the 8th of the month. The day is remarkably close to my heart as a woman.
We do not need a separate date or day to commemorate Women’s Day, for every day is special for us: a date or day meant for realising our rights and roles in society again demarcates inequality.
In certain ways, still, if we must respect womanhood on this day, we should come together shoulder to shoulder to get recognised and talk about our existing rights and self-introspect, our roles and responsibilities in the present society.
The immediate posers are: Where do we stand in the 21st Century? Are we grounded? Are we awake and aware of our significance in society?
Looking back at our ancestors gives us an insight. My grandmother was traditional yet modern in her thoughts. I follow her values even today.
How many of us are structured in our thoughts nowadays that, too, need dire attention?
Being a woman is not so easy, often a self-proclaimed statement by many of us in this present Century; despite having all the necessary benefits, luxuries, and pleasures for a happy and healthy life, we are unsatisfied.
We still feel that our needs hardly appear to be fulfilled.
There are haves and have-nots among women, too.
A proportion of women with almost everything at their fingertips – palatial accommodation, luxury living, a hefty bank balance, still yearn for more. Hoarding money, it seems, is a global disease, particularly for the wealthy.
On the other side of the scale, there are genuine cases of most women continually struggling for survival, sacrificing their desires for basic comforts for their families, and facing innumerable challenges. They suffer in silence and endure such adversities and hardships that can tear one’s heart apart.
Many of us are deprived physically, emotionally, socially, and economically in our country, which has a lot for the chosen few, born with a silver spoon but, on the bottom of the scale, almost nothing for the vast majority suffering.
Although we have many laws consciously framed and reserved to support and protect our rights well documented as articles and amendments in our prestigious constitution, one sadly sees the compliance of these rules being rationed and used or abused by the powers who control the pendulum of justice.
Talk of justice, which, by virtue of our constitution and their rights enshrined to deliver justice to all automatically, irrespective of gender and social status, one finds poverty blocks the route to a fair hearing.
This is so because only money can buy justice. In contrast, others are condemned to the travesty of justice.
How many times have we seen people with low or no incomes being persecuted and jailed because there was no one to fight for their rights?
Occasionally, a messiah – a man or woman lawyer – steps in to fight for justice for no fee, but that is a rare gesture of goodwill.
If, in the true spirit of International Women’s Day and equality, women are considered one fraternity, the scale of fair treatment should be their birthright, not a privilege or a favour.
For example, when a section of this family faces a true crisis, the solution should be urgently addressed.
Alas! Amidst all this brouhaha of justice and fairness, another section of society intentionally takes advantage of such laws only to fulfil their vested interest. In such cases, should we proclaim ourselves as truly empowered women?
The role and functionality of a woman have changed with time and space compared to what it was some 20 years ago. Our grandmothers toiled and worked hard the entire day for a bare minimum living wage, yet they were happy and empowered.
Their contentment levels are different from the expectations of modern women.
In today’s neo-digital era, if we take the population of women in India, 65-70 per cent of our families are not deprived of minimum facilities and benefits these days, which were not there previously, but the level and quality of these facilities leaves a lot to be desired.
Food, shelter and security, clothing, medical care and protection from harm or personal security, and education are every child’s primary requirement and fundamental rights.
How many are lucky to have these? Poverty still rules the roost in India, whatever the proclamations are.
Politicians will make us believe, albeit misleadingly, that their government offers these abundantly.
Let us leave that rhetoric to the legislators – being economical with the truth is one of the ingrained qualities of politicians globally; one takes their false reassurances with a pinch of salt.
However, this does not imply all is dark out there for women at the grassroots level.
In some countries, there are exceptions which prevail, and these should be addressed to those families where, even today, a girl child is considered a burden for that family.
She is not a burden.
Many organisations at local and global levels are tirelessly working hard to bring those children into the mainstream and to ensure that every child, irrespective of gender, is an asset to the family.
Hopefully, the day will not be far when every girl child will have her share of rights and freedom.
These days, parents want their daughters to learn and grow irrespective of their economic status, which was not the case before.
Some of us in our fraternity are raising our voices for equal rights and opportunities in the metro cities and a small section of rural areas where most of our sisters are not devoid of opportunities.
In the rural areas, they go into teaching, auxiliary nursing or running shops at the village level. Or they travel to the city to train in IT skills and work there.
Are men at fault in the current predicament of women? Sadly, yes, in some families.
In India, fathers are resigned to their misplaced thinking that daughters are a burden and financial liability and, one day, must be married.
There may be exceptions, but not a rule.
Educated fathers strongly believe their daughters should step out into society and work hard to make their mark, contributing to national development by taking up professions to match men’s abilities.
Some of us, women, constantly criticise men, but is it always the real case?
I have a mission for those sisters who are always seeking refuge under the control of patriarchy at home.
Are they constantly battered by their father, son, brother, or husband, blaming them whenever something goes wrong?
Instead of merely ranting at women as the quick way out, going to the bottom of the problem is crucial.
Take the example of a divorce.
More often than not, women are blamed when a marriage hits the rocks, sparking matrimonial crises and arguments.
The upheaval could be so severe that it could lead to a divorce. But when a petition to dissolve a marriage is filed, women get blamed for the rift.
The saddest part is: Have those condemning the woman bothered to dig deeper and find the absolute truth and the cause behind this?
Is women’s intuition always, correct? That is a million-dollar question!
Women can be wrong! Does being a woman mean they can accuse anyone, even if the person is innocent, to satisfy their female ego?
The revelations can be astounding.
Facts and data reveal the reason behind broken marriages, in most cases, is a woman who is plotting against another woman, resulting in broken relationships, disturbance, and unrest in a family.
So, are women united?
The burden does not rest on the shoulders of younger women but also the elderly females.
In our society, a woman (mother-in-law) wants her daughter-in-law to bear a male heir.
Not only in villages but in cities, too, there are incidents where a woman poses threats to another woman.
If we are genuinely empowered and liberated, then it is high time that we are not just superficially united but stand for one another in all hardships.
There are organisations led by women entrepreneurs who are diligently working to fight societal curses designed and executed by women. They have an arduous mission.
The ordinary woman, whether a mother, sister, daughter, or wife, is less interested in the broader aspect of this protection. They are interested only in what is happening in their backyard, calculating what they have received and what more they can get in materialistic gains.
This is an appeal to them: The world is big; try to think big and at least try to come out of the shell and support reality instead of looking at these issues parochially.
Being a woman, we can demand respect from society, but reverence is a two-way traffic. We should also give respect to others irrespective of their class, caste, creed, or gender.
It is pointless to give hollow speeches and write pages of thesis if we cannot believe and abide by it. When it comes to implementation, we become too judgmental of the consequences.
Due to such acts by a few of us dedicated women, most of us are often misunderstood. The poser is: Who will take responsibility for resolving the outstanding issues?
The government or the NGOs setting up facilities to educate women about their responsibilities?
There should be a group of well-meaning women globally, particularly in traditionally conservative societies, to take the baton and drive home that men and women must balance their behaviour and treat one another fairly.
When talking of International Women’s Day, the message should be that along with realising and talking about our liberties and freedoms, we should have open discussions and forums to address such issues where we should go by the reality that will not be biased.
We must commit to ourselves on this Women’s Day and believe in true equality between everyone.
A woman plays various roles throughout her life. Similarly, man also plays a crucial role in society, so when there is mutual respect for everyone, one’s life becomes worth living happily for all of us.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Additional reporting: SHAMLAL PURI, Our Senior Editor
Our writer: Multi-talented Antara Roy Bhattacharjee is an educationist, poet and author based in India. She holds a master’s degree in English literature. She also has a PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass communication. She is an expert in the communicative English language and a trainer in written and spoken English skills for the younger generations. She is the author of an anthology – “Percipience”. Her poems have also been published in several national and international anthologies. She is also a trained music teacher.
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