Daughters’ Day: Yet a long road to victory
Sunday - September 23, 2018 10:24 am ,
Category : WTN SPECIAL
WTN- Even as we celebrate Daughters’ Day in the country every year on last Sunday of September, September 23 in 2018, much of it remains limited to programmes and events, while the real motive and thrust is forgotten.
Like most other important days dedicated to different sections of society, it has become a perfunctory annual ritual where the spirit of reconstruction and innovation in safeguarding the interests of the girl child is missing. Despite marked progresses in certain areas like access to better healthcare and education facilities, girls in India are still a deprived and vulnerable lot. Incidents of rape, abuse, exploitation, racism and sexism are widely prevalent in our society which bar women from realising their full potential and contribute to society to the best of their capacity.
Women are inhibited, discouraged, threatened and encumbered at every step by compelling circumstances and societal or familial commitments forced upon them that make every small achievement a Herculean task. There is no point celebrating womanhood or fix days for the same unless the rudimentary coordinates are strong and the patriarchal mindset in society changes to allow women more space in the social discourse. Women constitute 50 per cent of our population, yet their representation in the professional workforce is poor and pay disparities galore across sectors.
There is still strong reservation in Indian men against giving women a fair share of power and responsibility, which is why most of the top positions in business, industry and service are held by men. It takes a lot of courage, determination and dogged struggle through the odds for women to rise in the ranks, many of which are not faced by men just because of the advantage of their gender. Half of our women are anemic and malnourished. Maternal mortality and childbirth deaths in India are still among the highest in the world. Dowry deaths are still widespread and so is domestic violence in different forms. India women are still under tacit subjugation and authority of the male members at home and out in society, who largely dictate the terms for everything, from their dressing to the rituals they should follow.
There is no such injunction for men. A society can never progress if half of its population has to live under such suppressive circumstances. Women need much more liberation, space and support from their family to grow and spread their wings. The family is the first and foremost element in a woman’s life which should encourage her forays and make things conducive for her so that she can realise her full potential and use her talents for the betterment of society.
If women are safe and progressive in society, we can make unprecedented advancements in different spheres hitherto unexplored or unexploited. Women bring in a different set of values and approach to the work culture and this can a boon for our apathetical and lethargic way of professional conduct that lessens productivity. Women need more opportunities, more encouragement and a more accommodative and assimilative society. If we can change our social narrative towards such a goal, that will be the greatest tribute to motherhood and the best gift we can present to our daughters and sisters. It may take time, but our education, awareness and exposure must lead us towards such refinement in our culture and outlook that doesn’t look down upon women as an inferior or different species from men who don’t merit to be placed on a high pedestal. Anything that scuttles the chances of equality of opportunities to both boys and girls has to be weeded out by our collective effort.
-Window To News
Like most other important days dedicated to different sections of society, it has become a perfunctory annual ritual where the spirit of reconstruction and innovation in safeguarding the interests of the girl child is missing. Despite marked progresses in certain areas like access to better healthcare and education facilities, girls in India are still a deprived and vulnerable lot. Incidents of rape, abuse, exploitation, racism and sexism are widely prevalent in our society which bar women from realising their full potential and contribute to society to the best of their capacity.
Women are inhibited, discouraged, threatened and encumbered at every step by compelling circumstances and societal or familial commitments forced upon them that make every small achievement a Herculean task. There is no point celebrating womanhood or fix days for the same unless the rudimentary coordinates are strong and the patriarchal mindset in society changes to allow women more space in the social discourse. Women constitute 50 per cent of our population, yet their representation in the professional workforce is poor and pay disparities galore across sectors.
There is still strong reservation in Indian men against giving women a fair share of power and responsibility, which is why most of the top positions in business, industry and service are held by men. It takes a lot of courage, determination and dogged struggle through the odds for women to rise in the ranks, many of which are not faced by men just because of the advantage of their gender. Half of our women are anemic and malnourished. Maternal mortality and childbirth deaths in India are still among the highest in the world. Dowry deaths are still widespread and so is domestic violence in different forms. India women are still under tacit subjugation and authority of the male members at home and out in society, who largely dictate the terms for everything, from their dressing to the rituals they should follow.
There is no such injunction for men. A society can never progress if half of its population has to live under such suppressive circumstances. Women need much more liberation, space and support from their family to grow and spread their wings. The family is the first and foremost element in a woman’s life which should encourage her forays and make things conducive for her so that she can realise her full potential and use her talents for the betterment of society.
If women are safe and progressive in society, we can make unprecedented advancements in different spheres hitherto unexplored or unexploited. Women bring in a different set of values and approach to the work culture and this can a boon for our apathetical and lethargic way of professional conduct that lessens productivity. Women need more opportunities, more encouragement and a more accommodative and assimilative society. If we can change our social narrative towards such a goal, that will be the greatest tribute to motherhood and the best gift we can present to our daughters and sisters. It may take time, but our education, awareness and exposure must lead us towards such refinement in our culture and outlook that doesn’t look down upon women as an inferior or different species from men who don’t merit to be placed on a high pedestal. Anything that scuttles the chances of equality of opportunities to both boys and girls has to be weeded out by our collective effort.
-Window To News
