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In the state elections of 2015, women turned up in great numbers, exceeding men by 7%, and a big ask on their agenda was a ban on alcohol, which they felt was a key factor in the high crime rates.
In the state elections of 2015, women turned up in great numbers, exceeding men by 7%, and a big ask on their agenda was a ban on alcohol, which they felt was a key factor in the state’s high crime rates.
The state of Bihar has always been notorious for crime and violence. It has been grappling with poverty, illiteracy and corruption for decades now. It seemed the dark ages for this state will never end – but the women of this state are making their voices felt.
Prior to the 2015 state elections in Bihar, women put across a clear message to the government – ban alcohol. They demanded a ban on the grounds that alcohol abuse was responsible for domestic violence, crime against women as well as a drain on most households.
Instead of cowering and letting life take its course, the women of this state stepped up and decided to better their lives. The then Chief Minister not only listened to this plea but also implemented it.
Almost two years since this ban, it appears that things are looking up. Petty crimes, robbing, molestation and rape cases have gone down. The sale of farming equipments such as tractors have gone up and more men are gainfully employed, as mentioned in the link above.
This case proves when women are galvanised into action; they can bring about a revolution. There are many other examples of positive changes bought about by Indian women in recent years as well.
The horrific ‘Nirbhaya’ case brought thousands of women onto the roads and forced the government to strengthen the existing laws against rape. It also made the courts relook at the leniency being given to juvenile criminal delinquents. Then, #metoo exposed the grimy side of the media and entertainment industries and threw up the names of influential men who had been exploiting women because of their power.
Women have had enough, and they have realized that they have to be the harbingers of a new and safer world. More and more women are now coming out to vote and ensuring that the government that comes to power listens to them. In the coming 2019 general elections there is going to be a ground breaking trend. The female turnout is expected to be more than that of the men. It is clear that the political parties too are beginning to make the right noises to entice women voters. Women in turn are ensuring that their votes count and the government listens to their issues and works towards solving them.
Complete gender equality is still far away, but this is a definite start. Let us all pledge to vote in the coming election not only as a responsible citizen but as a woman who wants to live in a safer world.
Image credits Leocardio Sebastian, used under a Creative Commons license
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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.
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