Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
So many things that a woman is 'not supposed to do'! It is time we stand up against this tyranny of men! I'm a woman, and unapologetically so!
So many things that a woman is ‘not supposed to do’! It is time we stand up against this tyranny of men! I’m a woman, and unapologetically so!
Yes, I shout out loud. Yes, I get mighty angry and throw things or even slap people sometimes. No, I don’t smile all the time. Does that mean I am less woman? No, that means I am, ME.
Yes, I go out, drink, dance, drive – much more and much better than perhaps many out there. Yes, I sit with my legs open. Yes, I go for late night movies all alone. Does that make me available? No, that means I like doing all this and I don’t need a partner.
No, I don’t adjust my dress when my cleavage shows. Yes, I wear a pantsuit like its made for my body. Yes, I put on bright make-up and paint my nails flashy. Yes, I loveeee sex. Does that mean I am a slut? No, that just means I don’t give a hoot to what you think.
No, I don’t wear a mangalsutra or a bindi. No, I don’t touch elders’ feet. No, I don’t cross my heart when I cross a temple every single time. Does that mean, I am flippant? No, it means “respect” and “love” for me is more to do with feelings rather than actions.
No, I don’t cook much. Yes, I like my tea in bed. No, I don’t stay up late nights till my husband comes back home. Does that mean I am a bad wife? No, that means I get tired and feel like being pampered.
Yes, I go out and earn loads of moolah. Yes, I climb ladders faster than most. Yes, I am far more ambitious than many others. Yes, I want to touch the skies and buy the earth. Does that make me a man? No, that makes me a woman with the world below my feet.
Yes, I have a house-help to take care of my children. Yes, I sometimes fail to pick them up. Yes, I sometimes don’t go to their annual gatherings or sports meet. Does that mean I am a bad mother? No, that only means I need my time.
Yes, I decided I don’t want motherhood. Yes, I said I do not want to marry. Yes, I said I want to have a live-in. Does that mean I am a bitch? No, that means I am a free-willed entity who can choose exactly what she wants.
No, nothing of this means that you can rape me, abuse me, torture me, burn me, kill me.
Nothing of this makes me other than who I am.
A Human Being. That’s it.
Published here earlier.
Image source: flickr, for representational purposes only
Writes about feminism, books, food and social issues ! 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!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address