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At the surface level, feminism may seem like it's a war; war against injustices, inhumanity, inequality...Yes, to some extent it is. But that isn't all it is.
This women’s day I am revisiting my evolution as a feminist. I thought I had been a feminist forever and knew all that I needed to know. But I realised there’s so much more beneath the surface. So I learnt. I grew. And I am still evolving.
I worked on questioning and dismantling my own biases, patterns of thoughts and behaviour. I realised in this process, that I had affected changes not just within me but around me; in my kids, my husband and maybe a few others. And they in turn started becoming more aware of their own patterns and biases.
At the surface level, feminism may seem like it’s a war; war against injustices, inhumanity, inequality…Yes, to some extent it is. It was/is needed. It’s imperative to jolt us all out of the vicious, regressive patriarchal drug-induced coma state.
But that’s not all.
I needed to move past the various stages – from resignation, helplessness, rage, anger, frustration, and then move towards exercising my individual power. Not waiting for that rosy future somewhere in the distant future but start living it Now!
We, in whatever capacity we are currently – as homemakers, salaried employees or anything else; In our role as parents, spouse, friend or relative. Start living from that empowered state of awareness and make changes Now! No more dreaming but living it.
It may be challenging, and even feel unsafe but that’s how we move forward.
We raged when needed, yes, but staying there, no. There is no power in victimhood. Doesn’t serve the purpose. Showing up as what we want the world to look like is where we are at.
May we individually and collectively reach a point where we take intuitive guidance from self than from external systems.
May we find our personal power, in our feminine and masculine. May that be how humanity moves forward leaving behind constructs that harm and don’t serve.
May we find joy in who we are and express it unabashedly devoid of gendered norms.
And by we, I mean both women and men!
We are all in this together.
I know I speak from a place of privilege but aren’t we all, who are using our voice in some form or another. If we as privileged can’t change our actions and behaviours on ground, then we can’t talk for those who cannot yet do it for themselves.
There’s been so much struggle and sacrifice by so many, for so long. It’s time we don’t let all that go to waste.
Be the change in small and big ways. Live the change now. Life is good and is getting better and better for all of us. Not only for our daughters and sons but for us too.
This women’s day, I want us to be optimistic. I want us to believe in our happily ever afters. And I want us to be happy in the now.
Happy women’s day!
Image source: LongShortFilms/ a still from Happy Birthday, Mummyji
A mother of two amazing kids and a teacher by profession, I have varied interests. Apart from being an avid reader, I dabble in gardening. My love for painting, cooking, travelling and jotting down my read more...
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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.
It is shameful that in today's world too, women are abused and even killed for giving birth to a girl, and the infant's life is also of no value.
Trigger Warning: This deals with domestic violence, suicide, and violence against women, and may be triggering to survivors.
I am so glad that the esteemed courts are now giving the much-required verdicts regarding certain ideologies that were not at all entertained earlier. I mean we all have studied this much biology at our school level and it is our duty (our generation) to educate our elders about it.
Why someone have to lose a life to bring such awareness to the society. Delhi High Court gave this judgement concerning a case that filed by the deceased daughter’s parents against her in-laws. She committed suicide as she was harassed and tortured for dowry and giving birth to two daughters.
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