Women Empowerment - My Thoughts!

Women empowerment to me comprises of all activities which lead to women getting entitled to better share of authority on their lives and decisions.

But then, why do we need to empower women? If the need persists, it directly implies that women are weaker breed of society and hence they need approval from the stronger gender. This raises eyebrows of a huge section of women, including me, who do not consider themselves to be in need of any such approval.

‘I am able enough to decide for my life’;

’I do not need help to fight my odds’;

‘Who are you to allow me permissions on my own right to live?’;

‘Women empowerment – grow up dude’

These are some of the thoughts which shout out from my nerves on hearing of women empowerment. This is because I am blessed to have a father who sent me to the same school as my brother; my mother served same food to me as my brother; I got the education basis my own choices; I married a guy who respects my space and does not feel hesitant while managing household chores or changing baby nappies. My extended family does not intrude in decisions of my career or the way I dress up. I am not asked whether I will replace my family name post marriage. In short, I am not allowed my life but I am living my life purely as per my choices. And hence, I find women empowerment defaming my gender community. Completely Agreed!

But, does this apply to every female born on this earth? NO, it simply does not. Let’s consider ‘just a few’ of many scenarios of a girl’s life on earth.

Female Feticide –The decision to take birth is decided by people mostly not even including the expecting lady. So, in a way, the battle or most appropriately, the struggle begins far before even getting into this world.

If at all you are lucky enough to be born, the next decision is to get the right to survive or being thrown away in garbage bins. You are anyways not being asked on this as well.

If again you were ‘allowed’ a home and grow with your biological parents, you grow up watching your mom being cursed for all bad things occurring to the family and she has to calmly accept everything as she is being ‘allowed’ to live with them in spite of bearing a girl child. An alternate scenario could have your mother raising her voice firmly and get things ‘allowed’ for her daughter as she is pained inside for not having a courageous mother for herself.

You are growing up and are ‘allowed’ education, food and clothing – the basic necessities in life. Wow!

You grow up and since you have exceled in studies, your father ‘allows’ you the luxury to go for further studies, as you have earned yourself a scholarship – no expense born by parents.

You are well settled and ‘allowed’ to pursue your career till your parents decide on a shortlist of guys eligible for marriage. You are ‘allowed’ to analyze them and marry one of them. Alternatively, you could also be ‘allowed’ the luxury to marry a guy outside your caste/religion if you are so much fond of him.

And the list of “allowed” benefits goes on and on…

But, why are these decisions being “allowed”? Shouldn’t these be the individual’s own will and there should not be any approval criteria on them. Are we talking about ‘women empowerment’ here? OK. And most of us consider it to be inappropriate.

I think we are at verge of major societal imbalance due to long delayed women empowerment. We need to change our attitude completely. We do not need to go for any reforms for it, but, what we need is to reform our mindset. The females need to be aware of their rights and be willing to face the challenges of life themselves rather treating themselves as the weaker ones who look out for help – always. The male counterparts on the other hand need to get out of the authoritative zone. They do not own their females – be it a daughter, a sister, a wife or their mothers. We should always compare ourselves on basis of knowledge, capabilities and not on gender.

In my views, women empowerment is nothing but empowerment of society.