Celebrating womanhood in true sense
THE GLASS CEILING MAY TRIGGER PASSION IN ELITE CLASS AND SOCIETY MAY HAVE MANY SUPERWOMEN, BUT THERE ARE MANY ORDINARY WOMEN WHO ARE QUIETLY FIGHTING ODDS, DISPLAYING RESILIENCE, WORKING TIRELESSLY
O n International Women’s Day — where it is all about “Power Talk”, women storming into empowering zones, the clip of a cheerful woman executive breezing through a board meeting, filmmakers carving out strong women characters, women flying jets — all this signifies women have arrived. True, sex is not destiny and ability is sexless as more and more women are redefining and restructuring their roots as well as their goals, scripting their own destiny and refusing to be footnotes on someone else’s script.
I had a glimpse of this upward journey of women as I recently attended a seminar on women empowerment, I could see breeze of radical change, smartly attired young women swiftly ascending stairs, one had a sling bag on her shoulders. Written on the bag were bold and beautiful words “I am going to better days”. Women assembled there to articulate their perspective on women issues were all charming, confident, chirpy and cheery as they spoke on women bodies, women emotions, women bonding together, women and sexual inequalities, class conflicts, gender discrimination etc. These women were all ready to walk the extra mile to passionately pursue their dreams and do greater things in life. I too felt a surge of joy that how we, new women are happy in our own space, casting aside mould made by societal norms and traditions as we bathe in a splash of vibrant hues on our life’s canvas.
Offbeat in mood, high on woman power, celebrating brave new world where women are reclaiming their lost spaces and charting unmapped territories, I reached home. I found my maid, along with her scrawny mite daughter, waiting for me. She was in tears as her alcoholic husband was hit in a brawl and was hospitalised. She needed my help, requesting me to accompany her she said “I’ll leave the child (her little daughter) with you, as long as you need her”. The girl smiled at me, a smile of innocence, not aware of the bitter truth that she is being signed away, a bonded labour. Though I went with her, talked to the doctor and did the needful yet, Cassandra like, I could see the future of small girl in an instant – no schooling, working as a maid, an awkward adolescence, early marriage, a drunkard husband, children, poverty, ill-health, cruelty, work, more work….?
The splendid spectacle of seminar attended in the morning, scholarly discourse, impressive statistics, the talk of women liberation, the changing face and role of women, all looked sham, a mockery of women empowerment.
The glass ceiling may trigger passion in elite class and society may have many superwomen, but there are many ordinary women who are quietly fighting odds, displaying resilience, working tirelessly from 5am to 10pm. They are not even aware that there is a day celebrating womanhood. The ruthless reality of small girl’s life shamed me as a woman. Standing there motionless, as the small girl held my hand tightly, I resolved to celebrate women’s day by writing her story and taking a vow to bring sunshine in girl’s life – educate her, empower her in true sense, making her achieve meaningful substance and stature in life.
With this resolve, my heart became lighter and my steps firm and faster. The words of Charlotte Bronte in “Jane Eyre” echoes in my heart “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will”. On this pleasant note, I wish all women Happy Woman’s Day.