[Editorial] The Freedom of Being a Woman

Living in a democratic country, we have some constitutional rights equal to both men and women. These include freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion and conscience, freedom of assembly and the right to equal protection before the law.

But it’s not unusual to face persistent controversies when it comes to women’s rights due to the patriarchal nature of our society. Although empowerment is apparent at a certain level, gender-based issues are still subjected to discrimination. This encompasses a wide range of human rights violations including sexual abuse of children, rape, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, trafficking of women followed by several harmful traditional practices. With far-reaching effects on victims, the reprehensible acts leave deep psychological scars.  Anyone butchered under the cliff of cannibalism, will bear the sequel of inevitable mental disturbances with considerable moral damage.

Victims are scared to voice out. They confine themselves within the four walls of their dwellings, for fear of bearing another scorn from societal prejudices. There are too many taboos, ironically even today. Measures to curb down discrimination against women demand honest and sincere commitment. Not just hollow speeches at some national or international forum. Speech is one thing; concrete action is a real chore. Egoism and self-centered interests are the major hindrances towards meaningful actions.

Men and women are born different, biologically. Rights and duties of each are framed by natural instincts. It is generally recognized from ancient times that the man is the breadwinner and the woman takes care of the household responsibilities. This has to do with masculine and feminine roles, which to some extent depending on circumstances, are interchangeable, but not out of right. It has nothing to do with gender equality, which has a wider scope.

Gender equality has more to do with equitable, not necessarily equal, roles in the economic, social, political and other life situations where fair and impartial consideration constitutes the vital element. Customs, traditions and religious and cultural heritage, but also biological make-up, have distinct in-built barriers that make it difficult to have real equality between the sexes. Not all roles and responsibilities, and not all functions can be shifted to the other partner. That’s why masculine and feminine roles cannot always be equal.

But there is a tendency to adapt, to the extent possible, those roles that are considered interchangeable.  For example, in the case of both partners being economically active, duties or rather roles and responsibilities in the home are distributed to meet time and availability constraint of each partner. But one cannot expect a stay-at-home woman to remain idle and wait for the husband to do the household things after an already tiring hard day’s work.

Modern society has witnessed a change in roles of the different partners to a certain extent. There’s still a long way to go. Level participation in day-to-day life is more and more acceptable with the gender equality concept. Life is being regulated such that both enjoy equal and fair treatment in society. Each has their own contribution in economic, social and political development. Suffice it to recognize each one’s capabilities with due respect.

Inequalities lead to injustice and oppression. Discriminatory laws, customs and traditions have no place in the face of a gender equal society. Someone rightly said: “Love is lawless and law is loveless”. A court of justice may rule with law but same cannot be applied for loving couples.

On this day for women, one has to think and re-think in a harmonized manner on the various opportunities that will bring up meaningful change without disturbing the fact of being a man or a woman. Each one has a distinct role and if shouldered responsibly, it may contribute in the family, social, economic, political and other development without sexual prejudice.

Let’s hope for a better and more equitable prospect for the future with the on-going transformation of our attitudes that trigger our behavior.