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'It seems as if the surest way to curse one’s nation is to subordinate its women'. If a family/country is to be happy & prosperous, women must be respected & given equal opportunities.
The international weekly “The Economist” recently published a research-based article on gender discrimination vs. economic performance of a country.
The article ranked 176 countries in the scale of 0 to 16 on parameters such as: unequal treatment of women in family law and property rights, early marriage for girls, patrilocal marriage, polygamy, bride price, son preference, violence against women and social attitudes towards it.
“Rich democracies do well; Australia, Sweden and Switzerland all manage the best-possible score of zero. Dismal scores are not limited to poor countries: Saudi Arabia and Qatar do terribly. India and most of sub-Saharan Africa do badly, too.
The authors also found evidence that patriarchy and poverty go hand in hand. “It seems as if the surest way to curse one’s nation is to subordinate its women,” they conclude.
The obstacles women face begin in the womb. Families that prefer sons may abort daughters. This has been especially common in China, India and the post-Soviet Caucasus region. Thanks to sex-selective abortion and the neglect of girl child, at least 130 million girls are missing from the world’s population, by one estimate. That means many men are doomed to remain single; and frustrated single men can be dangerous.
Parts of India with more surplus men also have more violence against women.
Patrilineality is sustained by property rules that favour men. To keep assets within the patriline (male line in family), many societies make it hard for women to own or inherit property. Written laws are often fairer, but customs may trump them.
In India, only 13 per cent of land is held by women. Several studies have shown that women who own property have more bargaining power at home and are less likely to suffer domestic violence.
When I read the article, this quote from Manusmriti remains wise after centuries: यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः । यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफलाः क्रियाः ॥
We as Indians take pride on our rich heritage and deeply rooted culture in the name of Indianism and sometimes hinduism. Though Ironically enough, women are projected as secondary citizen of the society in the present.
At a macro level, countries are poor where women are treated poorly. If I take it to micro level, a family would be dysfunctional when a wife, mother or sister is disrespected, insulted or gaslighted. If a family is to be happy, healthy and prosperous, women of the family are to be given equal opportunities, uncaged from nonsensical rules/manners and respected.
An overwhelming number of netizens aggressively debate about Hinduism, Indian culture vs. foreign influence. But if there is a discussion about gender equity, gender equality or women empowerment, it is either mocked or criticized heavily by labelling it as ‘western ideology’, ‘anti-culture’ or ‘women’s foul cry’ concept.
But we forget that social and economic welfare of a society is interwoven. This has been evident over the centuries in different cultures and countries.
If we are to be prosperous, each culture needs to update its traditions & customs as we evolve as humans and society as a whole.
Image source: Still from Andhadhun
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India Sweets And Spices is a film showcasing a classist NRI society and how the younger generation is trying to break the stereotypes.
I had been waiting to watch Geeta Malik’s India Sweets and Spices ever since it buzzed in the news that the film was being shot in my hometown of Atlanta.
The movie premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York on June 12, and I had the opportunity to watch a film I had been eagerly waiting for.
Noelle Page from The Other Side of Midnight, and Subbu from Aaranya Kandam, tell young women that "it's a man’s world, but you still have the power to bend it your way."
Noelle Page from The Other Side of Midnight, and Subbu from Aaranya Kandam, tell young women that “it’s a man’s world, but you still have the power to bend it your way.”
Feminism. The practically infamous F word that makes people uncomfortable within just seconds. Not just men, but everyone who has internalized patriarchy in general feels so threatened, that they do not even want to listen.
There are women who spend their whole lives trying to make something of themselves, standing up for themselves and their rights. But no matter how hard they try, there’s still an underlying tone of ‘rebellion’ in this progress and it is brushed off as being ‘arrogant’.
What does being a single woman by choice in India mean? Is it easy for a woman? Here is a take.
What does being a single woman by choice in India mean? Is it easy for a woman? Here is my take.
Nothing makes more noise in our society than the epithermal ceremony called marriage. No, this is one word we Indians cannot get over, even for a moment. It’s almost a tamasha that every born individual goes through in this country. It often feels that one is raised just to enter this institution, especially if you are a girl. Come on, how many times we have heard someone telling a girl, “If you can’t cook how do you think you are going to take care of your future families?” In an Indian society, girls are somehow told that in future they will have to be a part of a ‘new family’ which they have to take care of. Not to forget , the prince in a white horse who comes and takes away all the troubles is part of many fables and stories, which we as girls grow up with.
Though we were all fed from each corner about the marriage proposition, not to forget Bollywood and Television playing an important part, there happened something that no one in the eighties or early nineties could think of. India started changing. And the good news is that it still is. Though we are at the nascent stage, yet we see that nothing that was once in place and order is the same. New economic reforms swept the country; India was no more a country of snake charmers or the mystic land of Kama-Sutra but a country where foreign companies started investing. The term IT became a name that was plastered all across the news and suddenly the new generation of woman had many doors opening up to them, and with economic freedom, they were no longer dependent on anyone to provide them with their needs. Now they can decide to stay single or wait till they find the right partner to spend their lives with.
Though India is changing, the old hold of patriarchy has still not given its way. Once a girl is 25 plus it’s not an easy life.Read Full Article
Though India is changing, the old hold of patriarchy has still not given its way. Once a girl is 25 plus it’s not an easy life.
If The Handmaid's Tale appears a distant and implausible fantasy to you, read this. The Indian Woman's tale has many elements in common.
If The Handmaid’s Tale appears a distant and implausible fantasy to you, read this. The Indian Woman’s tale has many elements in common.
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, has been made into an American television series that is gripping the world by storm.
Its focus is on the treatment of women in an autocratic theocratic regime called Gilead that has taken over the United States of America. Religious fundamentalism and scripture dictate government, law, and lifestyles in society. Gilead exists in a period where pollution, chemical and nuclear radiation, environmental damage has led to a low birth rate thus leaving the population sterile except for a few.