While travelling by Mumbai roads women feel insecure as in the streets chain snatching, molestation, eve-teasing and even throwing acid on the face, drowsing women in front of lookers, beating the women in public view all these crimes occur without much support from the citizens. In the end women are the losers and they will have to face music all alone. 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 per cent 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.
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 on to women and the Short Mailing System (SMS) is misused for the specific purpose. It is indeed a shameful act.
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 over trivial matters. Money is the root cause of all problems. But women work as the watchdogs, take prudent decisions by saving 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. 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 their favour. It is time to recognize other sports personalities instead of giving more importance to cricketers.
Jayanthy Subramaniam
