Wow, its women's day today!!!! To be honest I really don't understand the point of these so called days. Is it only one day that we should celebrate being a woman? For me, I think we should celebrate it everyday.
But the real point is, is it really worth celebrating? Do we really understand the true meaning of being a woman? I liked Shobha De's article in the Times for the same occasion. Women's Day seems to be only for those higher middle class to the elite class of our society. What about the other women? If I wish my maid a Happy Women's Day, will she understand the significance of it? Even if she does understand, will it make any difference to her present life?
Her life is what you would call a typical hindi movie scenario. Only working person, drunkard for a husband who spends all her hard-earned money, 2 children studying in school which means the entire burden of a family is on her shoulders. Can she really understand what does women's lib mean? Does she even care to understand? She has been brought up to accept whatever life throws at her including a drunk and abusive husband and she can see no alternative in h
er life.Which brings me to the point, why are we brought up like this? Why do our mothers insist on learning skills required for a being a good wife? Is there a similar tutorial for a being a good husband? NO!!! Why, coz Men think they are perfect! Why aren't men taught how to cook and keep their wives satisfied? Why is marriage like a agreement to slave for your husbands and families forever?
Who decided that women should only be in the kitchen? Who gave them the right to decide this? Is it bcoz our ancestors that women are much better human beings than men and decided to keep them from growing so that they will always be subdued? So that man doesn't lose his importance?
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I don't want to a feminist. I don't think that men are worthless or less important then women; but that said I believe that women should also be given the due importance. Marriage, family, society: all these institutions should be based companionship and compassion not necesarily equality. I feel that I as a woman should be given the same choices as a man. I want to make choices and not feel guilty about them. I don't want to be stereotyped. I want to create my own path.
Somewhere down the line, we are also responsible for the attitude of men towards our gender. Why are we putting up with all this? Why should we feel guilty if we don't cook for our families one day? Or why do we feel bad about enjoying with our friends once in a while?
I think as women, we ourselves should change our mindsets towards our life and growth. I don't mean to say shrug off responsibilities and just enjoy your life. I would like that, that responsibility must be a choice that I have taken and not forced upon me. Until we do so, we will never be able to celebrate this day properly in the truest of sense.
