Agony of a woman

A while ago I read a thought provoking article on predicament of a woman. Then woman couldn't figure out where is her actual home – her parent’s home or her husband’s home for she was always made to realize that she is accepted everywhere but a freewill is not her prerogative. Her parents told her that she can do whatever she wants in her in-law’s home as that would be her real home. But she came to a realization after marriage when her in-laws too told her the same thing – this is not your home that you are free to do anything you wish for.

There are several faces of agony of women within our society – some palpable, some unheard and some so bizarre that it feels we still live in a gender biased society.

We in fact live in a male dominating society. However forward thinking and progress we talk about, but east or west, women are seen second to men in so many aspects. Be it intellect, strength, power, political acumen and list goes on. Off-course they are marching with men shoulder-to-shoulder but just look at the glass ceiling for example. How many women figures as CEO compared to men?

This is not all. The social structure also hinders their progress at each and every stage. After marriage if someone has to sacrifice their career it is women. And it is so much taken for granted that men think that they never need to worry about this aspect. Even if women manage work and children together, they are expected to cook and manage the entire family. Though the scene is changing with men who are supportive but yet they can never match the sacrifice women have to do for the family.

Much before marriages they are restricted to study much. Why? Because they may not get a worthy match or they are rushed to get married to pursue their aspirations later after marriage. But it doesn’t really turn out that way.

While above were a few such example which are quite easy to overlook even in most of the advance countries, there are issues which are more prevalent in small towns and villages where women are victim of atrocious tradition of dowry and its aftermath. This act does get extend to verbal and mental torture and in some case to domestic violence.  In-spite of giving their whole and soul women never get the respect and love they deserved. Ironical though, women themselves are their biggest tormentor in some of these situations.

On the hindsight, it is heartening to see more women taking courage to change their plight. Be it financial and social independence or having a right of speech or will. We as a society may not have matured much overall but women certainly are stepping beyond their Dad’s girl image.