Gender Agenda: War on Women

Though ‘War on Women’ is a political slogan used originally by the Republicans; it has now become a war cry used by women's groups and non-profit organizations to end violence and discrimination against women and to support women’s rights by encouraging women to get involved through activism or financial support.

Though this phrase resurfaced only last year when the Republicans used it to curtail women’s rights, the origin of this term dates back to 1996 when a Republican loyalist used this term to boost her political motto. But the point to ponder here is that whether this phrase is merely a political slogan used by Republicans? To my mind, there is much more to it. Let’s take a look –

1. The news headlines cry of sexual abuse to women, in an era when we, both men and women claim women to be as strong as men, mentally, financially, and in terms of freedom.
2. Though this country has produced a huge number of women entrepreneurs and business leaders, like Indu Jain, Simone Tata and Naina Lal Kidwai to name a few; on a year on year basis, we hardly find women getting promoted to top slots as much as men do.
3. Women, we know are a source of very life; yet, we only hear about female foeticide. Not that male foeticide is any better, but why kill girl children is the biggest question.

The three points highlighted above depicts a stigma that more or less covers the entire universe.

But what are we to do on this? We, the strata of people who are only on the receiving end of it all? When I say this, I don’t leave out the opposite gender. Does a father not get unduly worried about his teenage daughter not returning home on time? Does a husband not love his wife with all that he has? Does a brother not risk his life to protect his sister from perverts? Does a son not respect other women as he respects his mother? The answer to all the above questions is a big ‘YES’. Then who are we to blame for this condition?

1. Our past? Could be. Due to its ‘purdah’ system, the psychology carried forward is to always keep women dominated.
2. Our culture? Possible. Even Sita had to prove her integrity infront of her subjects at the behest of Lord Ram.
3. Or the present scenario? You never know. There’s nothing that triggers anything so drastic and yet it is happening and how!

The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful.

With this thought, let’s only hope that when our children ask us about the term ‘War on Women’, we only need to tell them the story ‘Helen of Troy’ and not that of any discrimination on women.