Gender Bender

Time has never been so fitting to discuss the social issues and evils faced by women.

On one hand – A fifteen year old girl was brutally shot for her propaganda on girl education; rate of violence and harassment against women is on the rise each day. While on the other hand – Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma becomes the first woman to take charge as the chief of the African union; Kumud Srinivasan is appointed as the head of India operations for Intel.

So, two entirely opposite conditions are prevailing in the same world. Why is this difference?

Let us dismiss the current situation from mind and go to the beginnings of all this – The Fundamental question. What is the purpose of gender? On an animalistic note, it is for the mere purpose of reproduction. But, we humans claim ourselves to be more than just animals. We devised something called as culture which was meant to override nature. We set up families and created a bond between males and females in the name of relationship. So by culture, it becomes implicit that the gender difference in humans is not for the mere purpose of reproduction. It means much more and relates to everything we do.

By nature, no species tries to dominate its opposite gender. In every species males and females carry out their work instinctively without any comparison. Even humans were like that once. As told in one of my previous articles, there was no problem when man was hunting and woman was at home taking care of the younger ones. As other means of occupation grew, the custom of man doing the outside work continued. But, little did women knew, that it was going to upset their own cause later on.

We started comparing men and woman based on the capabilities of men. Earlier studies were related as to why women had a smaller brain and smaller physique. One of the eminent naturalists, Darwin, stated that it was natural sex selection that made women inferior to men. Maybe the reasons put forward by him were right. But, why do such a study and declare women as inferior, while so many greater qualities were in their possession in comparison to men? Will it be acceptable to compare men and women in baby-care and decide who is better? If women are considered inferior to men in certain things, then it is most certain that men are inferior to women in their own specialities. But the point is not who is inferior or superior. It is about doing, what one feels good at doing.

Malala Yousafzai is a fifteen year old girl who is fighting a nation’s fight single handed. The fact that she was targeted by the Taliban, describes the utterly sick condition of the world we live in. Her fight is not only for girl education, but also for the cause of women in every field. I don’t see her age. I don’t see her gender. I only see her as a perfect example of a human. Her notes and speeches show her immense maturity and rational thoughts, in spite of the adverse conditions she had to endure over the last few years. A similar character who took the world by storm was Anne Frank, another young girl who unfortunately died at the age of sixteen. I salute and bow down to them. These two little girls have sent out a strong statement that women can take it to the next level when given the opportunity.

What is moral? Is it equal for men and women? Most definitely no. Should it be equal? I would say that the moral values expected from women are not their natural traits, but the traits which were conditioned into them by the society. As a result of western influence in our society, women are under the scanner like never before. Think again, am not saying women can do whatever they want. I propose to say that if women are bound to certain morals, so should men; and if men shall get away with whatever they do, so should women.

Once I saw an advertisement hoarding of a high school with an attractive female model on it. I was wondering if I should be surprised. I have always questioned the way women are portrayed as sex symbols in the media. Models and actresses are often criticised for exposing their skin for money. I don’t see a single reason why they should not, if they are comfortable doing so. As far as I know there are far less lesbians than straight men. So who are to be blamed for this; women or men? The society would not let a woman to enter a challenging field on par with men and when they find a way to make money, the society again plots a way to stop them.

A couple of years back there was a huge debate regarding the reservation of parliamentary seats for women. My suggestion to those women who wanted 33% reservation – Do not hang on to the cheap 33%. Do not fight for reservation in the future. Go for the maximum. If women prove themselves as better administrators, then the Lok Sabha deserves 545 women.

Amidst all these burning issues there is a small group of women who are cunning enough to use the current laws to their utmost self gains. The increasing percentage of pre-nuptial agreements in high profile marriages, display the effect of this small group. For these women I say – Equality is a right, not a privilege.

I firmly believe that the day will come when women will no longer need to fight to fulfil their rightful wishes; if not today, then explicitly tomorrow. The society never accepts a giant leap, in any form. But, on the day when it flourishes because of equality between the two genders, it shall be bashful for the lost time.

Swasthika Sang