Have you ever been engaged in an argument on the issue about the role of male gender? The concern always relates to the female gender. What they should and should not do! What they should and should not wear! The role of men remains undefined and they are allowed freedom to do what they wish. Men can as well do some of the jobs normally done by women. The best chefs are mostly men!
The unfinished task and efforts to provide equal rights to women continues on paper. The end results are otherwise. Passing lengthy resolution and enacting legislations will not contribute to mitigating the hardships of women. The inner change is necessary. God has given a special status to women in the act of procreation. She is the protector of the child for the first nine months and acts as the divine guard of the creative force of nature.
Directions in religious scriptures and practice by the society as for treatment to women vary much. A female child continuously faces victimization. Her life remains tied up to the household chores within four walls of the house. She is unable to find proper outlets for her creativity. Women need to be given the legal and spiritual rights on par with men.
Women are being attacked from all fronts. Socially defined roles hinder the growth of their personality. In comparison to the male child, the female is discriminated as for health care and education. In the traditional family set up, they are denied the power to make decisions. Abuse, violence and exploitation are commonplace. Even when provisions for legal protection are there, in actual terms to secure justice is the toughest of the task for her. Judicial procedures are lengthy and time-consuming. With the denial of economic independence, she is unable to meet the legal expenses.
From the cradle to the grave, from the womb to the tomb, level playing field is denied to her. The gender-sensitive society is unwilling to provide to her the entitlements in different stages of life and integrated care remains only a dream. Turn the pages of history of any given period, under any system of governance. Women have never been the fully contributing members of the community. Their place has always been the lowest step of the social ladder and their role is passive.
Gender inequality is of myriad forms. But discrimination in the educational field adversely affects the whole life of a woman. Deny her the education and her life turns out to be like that of an animal– just breeds children. This denial creates several roadblocks for her advancement in life, and fills her with a sense of insecurity and inferiority complex.
Women Empowerment is not an issue that can be solved by passing legislation only. It is like the scale of justice. Both arms of the scale, man and woman, are equally important to strike the correct balance. Sensitivity and mutual concern is the key to harmony between the genders.
