Dear Editor, I would like to express my views and thoughts on condition of womenfolk in India through the medium of your esteemed daily newspaper. Blinded by ravages of cultural radicalism, it seems forsaking the rights of women in India became additionally widespread as a discrepancy between two genders. From after independence of country in 1947, a sense of societal normality has led to women being forced into a secondary position within homes, men obtaining more privileges and fairer-sex being dominated by men. The situation for women in our country is far from the equality that we set-out to achieve with the independence of India in 1947 and currently in status-quo women face a myriad of issues that have led them to become repressed and unable to fight against these injustices on a person-to-person basis. Since independence, there has been a dire need for legislation and awareness regarding the condition of women in India. Married women have suffered from spousal abuse at some point in their life. The mentality of most Indian men represents the words ‘toxic masculinity’ and ‘misogyny’. It refers to a way of thinking that men are superior to women and that women are their accessories, and they can do what they want with them. This way of thinking has not only led to social inequalities but also a culture of systematic discrimination and in the extreme rape culture. When men think like this, they are bound to make insensitive jokes that trivialize assault, molestation, catcalling and harassment. This mindset is often rooted from young boys not being taught how to respect and behave with women and due to this these same boys make dirty jokes with their female friends. The mind of a child is often like a sponge-the involuntary absorption of information takes place, and a child often imitates the practices of whom he sees as a role model. This psychology can perhaps best be seen through another example of when a young boy sees his father treat his mother coldly, ignoring her and referring to her as property. This way of thinking is passed on from generation to generation and is instilled in boys from a young age, but due to the ever-increasing wave of social enlightenment the situation can be looked upon optimistically. I think that there is dire need of ‘A Voice For Women’ movement which act like a wave of feminism to be sprung up within India and the movement acts as a joint effort to support women in the country to overcome such obstacles and to organise to fight for the rights of women politically, socially, and economically. A voice for women or feminism means equality and sameness and treatment that is exclusive of gender. It fights for women to not be killed in the name of honour, to not be treated like objects, to not be harassed, to not be exploited, to not be looked down on, to be treated fairly, the abolishment of gender roles that stereotype people, equal pay, same rights and other things that encompass an end to social injustices by carrying out educational activities for the women population of India. A voice for women movement has become a banner for unity and organisation for demanding a change in the way of thinking of the men masses. This movement within India will done a lot of good, and it continues to enlighten women about their rights and enlighten men on how to act as allies. It acts as a support system for women. The movement will also inspire the emergence of several Non-Governmental Organisations which will also work towards the aim of gender equality within India. Furthermore, the definition of gender-based violence which extends to emotions has also been established. Last but not least let us hope that this ‘A Voice For Women’ movement continues to live on and flourish and all of us should play our part in helping humanity grow. Mool Raj, Doda.
