Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
A woman with opinions is often tagged as 'bossy'. Will this ever change? Read what readers had to say on the #WomenOnTheMove chat.
A woman with opinions is often tagged as ‘bossy’. Will this ever change? Read what readers had to say on the #WomenOnTheMove chat.
I am a woman. And I am opinionated. I am not opinionated because I want to be rude or bossy. I am opinionated because not only I have the right to have an opinion but also I have the right to share that opinion. There is nothing wrong with that. Because everyone has that right. And sorry to break your shell but ‘Silence’ is not a woman’s best friend!
Earlier this week, we had our weekly #Womenonthemove chat over at Twitter, and this is what we discussed.
(If you’re not yet following Women’s Web on Twitter, do now, and you can come over for the chat too, every Thursday 6-7PM IST).
@womensweb absolutely all this is natural aggression for men and abnormal for women. — Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) August 25, 2016
@womensweb absolutely all this is natural aggression for men and abnormal for women.
— Pooja Sharma Rao (@IAmSufiZen) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Yes they are to a certain extend. If they are assertive and have opinion which is counter to the majorityNever miss real stories from India's women.Register Now — Prerana (@prerana248) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Yes they are to a certain extend. If they are assertive and have opinion which is counter to the majority
— Prerana (@prerana248) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Men are rewarded, often lauded for speaking. women r sidelined and looked down upon if they have strong pov — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Men are rewarded, often lauded for speaking. women r sidelined and looked down upon if they have strong pov
— Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A1. All the time. Have been branded arrogant as well. You learn to ignore yet maintain your stand. #Womenonthemove — Pallavi Kamat (@Pallavisms) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A1. All the time. Have been branded arrogant as well. You learn to ignore yet maintain your stand. #Womenonthemove
— Pallavi Kamat (@Pallavisms) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Women r given a seat at the table. but including them isnt the same as hearing them. — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Women r given a seat at the table. but including them isnt the same as hearing them.
I have never directly been called bossy.. but yes that sense is something I have felt almost everyday. https://t.co/hrRlgYZpkE — Jaibala Rao (@JaibalaRao) August 25, 2016
I have never directly been called bossy.. but yes that sense is something I have felt almost everyday. https://t.co/hrRlgYZpkE
— Jaibala Rao (@JaibalaRao) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A1. whether straightforward or overbearing, the woman has to lean in a lot more to get her POV heard. #Womenonthemove — Aditi Mahale (@timulgi) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A1. whether straightforward or overbearing, the woman has to lean in a lot more to get her POV heard. #Womenonthemove
— Aditi Mahale (@timulgi) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Yes, there r issues at workplace but if u remain firm for long, you are heard.#Womenonthemove — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Yes, there r issues at workplace but if u remain firm for long, you are heard.#Womenonthemove
— ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Dont care. Maintain ur stand. Ppl will learn to respect eventually.#happenedtome — Sweety Pateliya (@chinks_lounge) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Dont care. Maintain ur stand. Ppl will learn to respect eventually.#happenedtome
— Sweety Pateliya (@chinks_lounge) August 25, 2016
@womensweb I have a loud voice and very strong opinions. My mom was worried I wd have trouble after marriage. — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb I have a loud voice and very strong opinions. My mom was worried I wd have trouble after marriage.
@womensweb Speak softly and only when u r spoken to is what many girls are often taught from childhood. — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Speak softly and only when u r spoken to is what many girls are often taught from childhood.
@womensweb #Womenonthemove I swear there is difference in men n women,they push things silently n we raise our voices 2 b heard. — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove I swear there is difference in men n women,they push things silently n we raise our voices 2 b heard.
@womensweb I have been lauded for actually speaking up & voicing contrary opinions. I was like ‘what? I am no different, why the kudos’ — Aditi Mahale (@timulgi) August 25, 2016
@womensweb I have been lauded for actually speaking up & voicing contrary opinions. I was like ‘what? I am no different, why the kudos’
@womensweb A2. Yes! Keep voicing your opinions. Establish your credibility. They can’t ignore you for long. #Womenonthemove — Pallavi Kamat (@Pallavisms) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. Yes! Keep voicing your opinions. Establish your credibility. They can’t ignore you for long. #Womenonthemove
@womensweb A2. Action speaks louder thn words. I let my work speak for my strong opinions. Now they respect me for that. #womenonthemove — Archana (TSW) (@BeingAHappyGirl) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. Action speaks louder thn words. I let my work speak for my strong opinions. Now they respect me for that. #womenonthemove
— Archana (TSW) (@BeingAHappyGirl) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Need 2 continue our efforts with firmness n learn 2 maintain cool while putting opinions,she is slowly accepted — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Need 2 continue our efforts with firmness n learn 2 maintain cool while putting opinions,she is slowly accepted
@womensweb I tried not speaking, gave a lead time of 10 secs for others to talk before I put my opinion,sugar coated opinions. None worked! — Priya Paramesh (@PriyaParamesh) August 25, 2016
@womensweb I tried not speaking, gave a lead time of 10 secs for others to talk before I put my opinion,sugar coated opinions. None worked!
— Priya Paramesh (@PriyaParamesh) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Even if u try counter it u will be percieved as rude AGAIN! evry 1 shud hv opinions until it becomes a norm. #Womenonthemove — Sweety Pateliya (@chinks_lounge) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Even if u try counter it u will be percieved as rude AGAIN! evry 1 shud hv opinions until it becomes a norm. #Womenonthemove
@PriyaParamesh @womensweb ha ha. I am diabetic to sugarcoating. Can never get the hang of it 😝😝 — Archana (TSW) (@BeingAHappyGirl) August 25, 2016
@PriyaParamesh @womensweb ha ha. I am diabetic to sugarcoating. Can never get the hang of it 😝😝
@womensweb 2: Live your life and keep expressing your opinions.That is the only way they will learn to respect your opinions #Womenonthemove — Life Camera Fashion (@thekopargaonkar) August 25, 2016
@womensweb 2: Live your life and keep expressing your opinions.That is the only way they will learn to respect your opinions #Womenonthemove
— Life Camera Fashion (@thekopargaonkar) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. I will continue to gv strong opinions till it is seen as normal & will ignore public criticism! #womenonthemove — Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. I will continue to gv strong opinions till it is seen as normal & will ignore public criticism! #womenonthemove
— Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. Action speaks louder than words!Let your action inspire others to build a positive opinion about you. — Priyanka Dutta (@PriyankaADutta) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. Action speaks louder than words!Let your action inspire others to build a positive opinion about you.
— Priyanka Dutta (@PriyankaADutta) August 25, 2016
A2) Other people’s opinion are not mine to change & similarly I wont change for their opinions.#Womenonthemove https://t.co/HTJf6TsA9A — Jaibala Rao (@JaibalaRao) August 25, 2016
A2) Other people’s opinion are not mine to change & similarly I wont change for their opinions.#Womenonthemove https://t.co/HTJf6TsA9A
@womensweb A3. Opinion is an opinion why use tact? Ya one has 2 understand d situation & then speak! #womenonthemove — Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A3. Opinion is an opinion why use tact? Ya one has 2 understand d situation & then speak! #womenonthemove
@womensweb Of course! It’s just your opinion. You don’t have to shout to prove yourself right. #WomenOnTheMove — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Of course! It’s just your opinion. You don’t have to shout to prove yourself right. #WomenOnTheMove
— Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) August 25, 2016
@aditi_mahale @womensweb Often women look down upon women who speak up and have a strong pov. — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@aditi_mahale @womensweb Often women look down upon women who speak up and have a strong pov.
@womensweb Women often drag down other women. we need to change ourselves before expecting the world to change — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Women often drag down other women. we need to change ourselves before expecting the world to change
@womensweb A2. I will myself stop seeing opinionated women as bossy! That too needs to change! #womenonthemove — Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2. I will myself stop seeing opinionated women as bossy! That too needs to change! #womenonthemove
@womensweb While common in corporate circles, I c this hpng in families too. where women rnt allowed to voice their opinion — Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) August 25, 2016
@womensweb While common in corporate circles, I c this hpng in families too. where women rnt allowed to voice their opinion
@womensweb#Womenonthemove Since childhood,we have been asked not to voice so when we get a chance to put our opinions, it’s uncontrollable — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb#Womenonthemove Since childhood,we have been asked not to voice so when we get a chance to put our opinions, it’s uncontrollable
@justkanchana Totally agree… women are women’s biggest judges and even their jury @womensweb — Jaibala Rao (@JaibalaRao) August 25, 2016
@justkanchana Totally agree… women are women’s biggest judges and even their jury @womensweb
Tact is a gender ignostic skill.Women expressing an opinion generally labelled even by other women #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UdndsLa1h2 — anupama (@anupamaskapoor) August 25, 2016
Tact is a gender ignostic skill.Women expressing an opinion generally labelled even by other women #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/UdndsLa1h2
— anupama (@anupamaskapoor) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Need to raise the next gen boys in a different way to change this perception in school workplace and across. — Prerana (@prerana248) August 25, 2016
@womensweb #Womenonthemove Need to raise the next gen boys in a different way to change this perception in school workplace and across.
@womensweb 3: Be honest, Expressing your opinion is not a crime- crime is to supress someones voice or opinions #Womenonthemove — Life Camera Fashion (@thekopargaonkar) August 25, 2016
@womensweb 3: Be honest, Expressing your opinion is not a crime- crime is to supress someones voice or opinions #Womenonthemove
@womensweb A2 a conscious attempt to change this perception. And look at her as an individual sans gender #WomenOnTheMove — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A2 a conscious attempt to change this perception. And look at her as an individual sans gender #WomenOnTheMove
— Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A5 there is hope, I see that with our children, gender neutral upbringing is the answer #Womenonthemove — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A5 there is hope, I see that with our children, gender neutral upbringing is the answer #Womenonthemove
@womensweb A4. I dont think they are coming down. They may infact increase with the current diversity wave. A larger cultural shift needed. — Aditi Mahale (@timulgi) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A4. I dont think they are coming down. They may infact increase with the current diversity wave. A larger cultural shift needed.
@womensweb Yes, it has declined in cities n she is been accepted, continue efforts in right way n direction. #Womenonthemove — ILA VARMA (@VARMAILA) August 25, 2016
@womensweb Yes, it has declined in cities n she is been accepted, continue efforts in right way n direction. #Womenonthemove
@womensweb I would put it as acceptance & recognition of women talent in different aspects and fields are on the rise..but long way to go… — Priyanka Dutta (@PriyankaADutta) August 25, 2016
@womensweb I would put it as acceptance & recognition of women talent in different aspects and fields are on the rise..but long way to go…
A4) Yes and no. Change is happening but it is very slow and does not go deep enough #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/ZBte0FxBVe — Jaibala Rao (@JaibalaRao) August 25, 2016
A4) Yes and no. Change is happening but it is very slow and does not go deep enough #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/ZBte0FxBVe
@womensweb A5 in Indian society at large, NO. We have a long way to go. — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) August 25, 2016
@womensweb A5 in Indian society at large, NO. We have a long way to go.
Personally, I feel that a perception change can only be brought in if we can manage to raise a generation of girls who are unafraid of the judgments their sharing of opinions will bring; and a generation of boys who don’t think that their existence is endangered & jeopardised because girls have refused to take things lying down. Moreover, we as parents & as society need to support our girls who stand up and speak out. Because opinions are okay. And girls with opinions are okay.
Image: Business meeting at workplace from Pixabay
A part time backpacker, an accidental baker, a doting mother, a loving wife, a pampered daughter, an inspired blogger, an amateur photographer read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Being a writer, Nivedita Louis recognises the struggles of a first-time woman writer and helps many articulate their voice with development, content edits as a publisher.
“I usually write during night”, says author Nivedita Louis during our conversation. Chuckling she continues,” It’s easier then to focus solely on writing. Nivedita Louis is a writer, with varied interests and one of the founders of Her Stories, a feminist publishing house, based in Chennai.
In a candid conversation she shared her journey from small-town Tamil Nadu to becoming a history buff, an award-winning author and now a publisher.
Nivedita was born and raised in a small town in Tamil Nadu. It was for schooling that she first arrived in Chennai. Then known as Madras, she recalls being awed by the city. Her love-story with the city, its people and thus began which continues till date. She credits her perseverance and passion to make a difference to her days as a vocational student among the elite sections of Madras.
Please enter your email address