On Celebrating Women's Day
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On Celebrating Women's Day

Equality will never happen unless we all believe that we are equal. Everyone can be equal despite the differences of race, gender sexuality, backgrounds, mental and physical abilities

Post by on Wednesday, March 9, 2022

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Celebrating women's day is a way of feeling grateful to each and every woman in one's life. International women’s day is celebrated each year on March 8th and is observed around the world to celebrate the velour of women.

Women have struggled for their equality and against oppression for centuries. Although certain battles have been won such as rights to vote, right to own property and right to education, but women are still disproportionately affected by all forms of violence and discrimination in most aspects of their lives. The recommendations on preventing sexism adopted by the ministers of the council of Europe defines sexism as -

Any act, gesture, visual representation or written words practice or behavior based upon the idea that a person or a group is inferior because of their sex with the purpose or effects of -

·         Violating the inherent dignity rites of a person resulting in physical, sexual, psychological or social economic suffering groups of persons.

·         Creating and intimidating hostile the grading offensive environment.

·         Constituting a barrier to the autonomy and full realization of human rights by a person or group of persons.

·         Maintaining and reinforcing gender stereotypes.

It is clear that we live in a patriarchal society. From our childhood we are enforced with a lot of gender stereotypes. Girls can’t drive, boys don’t cry, girls don’t play with tool sets, boys don’t play with dolls. Boys and girls are taught from a young age that there is a world of difference between the two. And in most patriarchal household they are brought up believing that women meant to do all the household jobs whereas girls grow up believing that it is a man's prerogative to work and earn only. These are the mindset of age old thoughts that we need to change with the changing times. There are entire households being managed by women and they are quite successful at that.

Equality will never happen unless we all believe that we are equal.  Everyone can be equal despite the differences of race, gender sexuality, backgrounds, mental and physical abilities. As defined by Webster's dictionary gender oppression is unjust or cruel excessive use of authority or power over someone based on their gender. The world we live in is an ingrained social system that in all aspects of life whether professional or personal there is male domination.

There are innumerable challenges and issues women face every single day be it at home or at the work place. It is seen women often do not advance as quickly as their male counterparts for a variety of reasons despite being equally educated and talented. Most women have to bear the responsibility of rearing a family and bringing up children. Those who don’t keep their families as their major priorities are often judged and called names. Some people do not like to employ thinking they would have to give her time off and pay if she decides to start a family.  Despite all odds women have started to overcome many obstacles in their lives and are managing to come at par with the males. We as Indians and individuals must stop discrimination against boys and girls. When boys grow up in a family where they see women being treated with respect and kindness it is what they emulate when they grow up. The most important thing to do for every girl no matter how rich a family she belongs to or no matter how beautiful she is; is to ensure her education. This instills a sense of self worth in a woman and beings a feeling of independence and self worth in her.

Coming from a large family with many girls, most of whom are highly educated with professional degrees like medicine or engineering I personally know the importance of a good education. We were lucky that since our childhood our parents never differentiated between boys and girls and gave us equal and sometimes even extra opportunities for education and schooling. We were taught that Books and school was the first priority in our lives. Household works and chores were to be done as well but never at the cost of our studies.

The question arises why we need women’s rights when they are simply human rights. Almost everywhere in the world women are deprived of human rights just because of their gender. It is high time the world realizes and accepts the inherent strength of women in all aspects of lives, be at home or in the professional front.

This women's day i wish to give a shout out to the women who have had to put on a brave front in the face of adversity be it from within their own homes or families or from their bosses and colleagues. They alone know what they have gone through to reach their station in life. Here is more power to them and may their lives be filled with more strength and fullfiment.

 

(Dr Sana Khan is Assistant Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research. Feedback:  drkhan007@gmail.com)