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We ostensibly have choices, but what kind of choice is it really for women, where the conditioning and patriarchal ideas of how a woman should be take the upper hand?
Swirling in fluid, dreaming an unseen dream Tiny limbs and features, with a naughty gleam Eyes opening and closing, dark all around That’s how it looked, my soul on being found…
Then came the birth, slow, steady and long drawn A blissful night ended, and came a reluctant dawn Being born as I was, was not a happy thing, I see I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…
Trotting on my feet, not a care, no worry I walked out in the open, but was taught to scurry Being a boy was a privilege, a girl wasn’t to be I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…
Dolls walked in as gifts, after dark strolls off bounds “You’re a girl“, I heard, world is full of hounds Rebelling just reaffirmed, what Mom had told me I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…
Being in a bus was a battle, and so was being in a train Being at work was a battle, so was being in rain Groping hands all over, eyes that mentally stripped me I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…
Working extra hours unwelcome, laughing out loud too Dignity, grace and poise ok, being carefree a taboo Moment after moment, just learning not to be me I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…
Then comes one day, a snapping point of some sort When I see two paths, Do or Die, in short… I choose to do, to be who I want to be I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…
Tongues wag and people tut, but this life in mine Being alive, to live and love, is nothing but divine No one takes this right to live, away from me I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…
Bus journeys are not battles, as I swing the shoe when I must I am not the one out of control, it’s that guy’s lust It’s HIS battle to fight, and to win, to keep his hands off me… I refuse more battles, simply thrust upon me…
A version of this was first published here.
Image source: pixabay
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The plight of Indian women's mental health often goes unnoticed. Co-founders Vivek Satya Mitram and Pooja Priyamvada conceived the idea of the Bharat Dialogues Women & Mental Health Summit to address this.
Trigger Warning: This contains descriptions of mental health trauma and suicide, and may be triggering for survivors.
Author’s note: The language and phraseology used are not the author’s words but the terms and narrative popularly used for people living with mental illnesses, and may feel non-inclusive. It is merely for putting our point across better.
I have seen how horrifying was the treatment given to those with mental illness.
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.
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