Ladki Hi Toh Hai! Padh Likh Kar Kya Karegi Bhala?!

Women are breaking glass ceilings everywhere, but much of India is still entrenched in the Middle Ages where women are powerless and have no say in anything.

It is said that ‘If you want respect, you need to earn it’. But often this saying cannot be applied – like in the patriarchal Indian society, for example. No matter what a woman does that is respect worthy, girls in our country are sidelined.

Patriarchy has been long entrenched n Indian society. This is why women have, in the past, tolerated all of this, and are still doing it without realising their strength. Although women do a lot for their family & society, they cannot really gain the same respect that men get just for being men, even when they try hard to earn it.

Our Indian society is full of people who believe in myths, superstitions, and many other false beliefs. It’s all because of these myths and superstitions that women have not been allowed the freedom that they deserve. They have been tortured, disrespected and not valued. There are still beliefs in many myths because of which women are underestimated, and if by chance a girl is born in a family, she is treated as a bane not a boon.

“Dahej le kar jayegi!”

There is always a misconception in the mind of the people of Indian society when a girl is born, that from now onward, we have to save for her dowry irrespective of her qualities and talent. She will not be encouraged to study because people think it is better to save for her dowry rather than to spend on her studies.

“Ghar parivar sambhaalna seekhe!”

Despite encouraging her to be confident, self dependent and bold, she is taught how to patiently endure things in a family. She needs to respect the family and family members even though she doesn’t get it. This should be her sole aim of life. This is the lesson taught since her childhood.

“Padh likh kar kya karegi?”

Before asking her what she aspires to be in future, what is she interested in, it is already decided by the society that study is not her part. Being self dependent and making a well settled career of her own cannot be her choice. She is forced not to study rather than motivated to study hard.

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“Akele bahar jana thik nahi!”

For her whole life a fear is instilled in her mind that going alone outside is not safe for her. The fear is also because of the boys, the same old patriarchy again hits here. Why the women folk should fear from the men and not have their personal space? Why can’t they have their own identity? All these things restrict her from seeing the bright colours of the world. She is forced to lead a colourless life.

In most parts of India, especially in rural areas and in some parts of urban areas, this mindset and evil thoughts still exist. Women have stepped on the moon, achieved a lot and are doing wonders. They are capable of managing the nation’s economy, controlling army troops, and flying jet planes. But the evil thinkers of orthodox patriarchal Indian society are still not aware of these achievements. They are busy somewhere sitting on the cot, smoking pipes or playing cards, and harassing women.

The time has come to fight against this social evil that is suppressing the women of this society, stopping them from exploring their potential. It’s time to give the respect to women that they are yearning for, and that they really deserve. They should be able to write their own future according to their choice. Stop forcing them to stay in the corner of the house and suppress their emotions & feelings.

This big step has to be initiated by women themselves before anyone else takes action, and the credit too. Until and unless they start valuing themselves, know about their capabilities and work for their own development, the world will not do it. So next time a man disrespects a woman, just make him understand:

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

Published here earlier.

Image source: pixabay

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