Women Diaries (Introduction)

It’s 2014 and the world around us is growing every single day. Lot of changes, innovation, diversification, ‘a-culturisation’ but these factors have still not been able to respond to the problem that has been plaguing our society for years. Yes! “GIRLS” “WOMEN”.

 Luckily these days girls are allowed to be born, they are even given some basic education and other amenities which had earlier been denied to them. But from what I can perceive, these offerings are not completely devoid of ulterior motives, as education for most parents only serves to increase the girl’s value in the marriage market. Housekeeping is still the most important thing that a girl needs to master. Even if she is a big scientist, she needs to make sure that the house and kitchen are scrubbed clean at the end of each day. The tradition of considering a girl impure at the time of menstruation is still a norm in most Indian families. If a girl is raped the first question people ask is about the kind of clothes she was wearing. Girls are supposed to be silent, submissive and not attract guys in any possible way. They are supposed to be patient after marriage and not complain about their husband’s behaviour. He is the ultimate god who can punish her whenever he thinks she is wrong. They should carry and nurture his baby and teach him good manners. If they fail they are blamed for it at a later stage. Even the pain they endure does not earn them an iota of respect.

 Admittedly, there are two sides to every coin, just like there are to this issue of gender. A lot of people have changed their perception about female gender. They are being supported and encouraged to succeed in various fields. We see women from different social, racial and religious backgrounds coming to the fore and taking up positions of responsibility. Some of them have succeeded but a few stones are still waiting to be carved into glorious statues.

 As we fight this constant battle with the dichotomy of the society’s responses towards us, I have taken the initiative to bring these real life battles to light in my column “Women Diaries”. I will try to bring out stories of both good and bad experiences lived by women and will try to give a voice to their stories.