The position of women is going from bad to worse in the male-dominated environments. It found that although few were subjected to actual advances, such as being groped, 90 per cent had been subjected to gender harassment. This included offensive remarks about being female, their appearance, body language and the way of dressing etc etc. Cruel jokes are passed against women and the Short Mailing System (SOS) is misused for the specific purpose. It is indeed a shameful act.
A new study has found that nine in 10 women have suffered some form of sexual discrimination at the workplace, which is alarming and India is not an exception to this. The researchers at the Michigan University found that 10% of the women surveyed had experienced the most severe form of harassment, in which they were promised promotion or better treatment, if they were co-operative in all aspects of life.
India still has a high number of female foeticide, in some places it gets worse—a new born baby girl’s neck is snapped so that the ‘burden’ in the family is destroyed forever. Her ordeal doesn’t end there, often one hears of marriages stalled or turning sour owing to dowry or due to the lack of it. Domestic violence, verbal abuse, cruelty are all sometimes just a part of lives of so many women in our country.
It is time to give respect and take respect from the better half rather than fighting for trivial matters. Money plays villain. But women work as the watchdogs, take prudent decisions by saving money for the rainy days and keep a cool composure during rain and shine. Women transact online to invest in shares and help the family during financial difficulties. Even without sound educational background they manage money matters better than men.
The purpose of this article is not to dampen your spirit. All I’m saying is that look around you. Do you see or know someone who needs help? A woman who is probably not as lucky as you? Lend her a hand, help her out. If that’s not feasible, because I know a lot of such women are just not ready to come out of the situation, then lend them a shoulder or an ear. And when they’re ready, they’ll let you know. It will prove far more satisfying than getting that designer handbag at dirt cheap price. Women at workplace should be respected all the time and need not be given testing times for getting the favour.
We in India respect the ladies and treat them at par with men. This is a step in the right direction. Women have contributed great things to the society in general and to their families in particular. They take care of the children from the womb till the time they are mature enough. In some cases women back them even after marriage and take care of the grand children as well. They fight every inch to keep the family flag flying high.
Somehow, probably unknown to us, we have created a divide among the two sexes in our society. We have stereotyped women to be the kind that is delighted by discounts and savings (consumers) and men to be the providers.
India still has a high number of female foeticide, in some places it gets worse—a new born baby girl’s neck is snapped so that the ‘burden’ in the family is destroyed forever. Her ordeal doesn’t end there, often one hears of marriages stalled or turning sour owing to dowry or due to the lack of it.
omestic violence, verbal abuse, cruelty are all sometimes just a part of lives of so many women in our country. Sure, we do have our share of Kiran Bedis and Sainas, but for every one such Kiran Bedi there’s an Aarushi and for every P.T Usha, there are a bunch of women, who suffer because of rape, harassment and ill-treatment in several ways.
Jayanthy Subramaniam
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
