ARE WE THERE YET?

With International Women’s Day upon us, and my inbox inundated with press releases about all that is happening across the world to celebrate the day, I am staring at the prospect of fatigue – the kind that is a result of a hardsell of products and services, all in the name of supporting the ‘cause’, and the extreme rhetoric spewed by both man and womankind.

So to that extent I agree with Nargish Khambatta, the Principal of GEMS Modern Academy, whom we interviewed along with three others for our cover story (on page 22). She says, ‘I think the age where Women’s Day was needed is behind us… Men don’t need a day to remind anyone of their contributions, so why do women?’ Simple logic but very valid, I believe.

She goes on to say that it is probably relevant in places where women are not as emancipated, but not in this part of the world. It is this bit of the argument that I do not agree with. I believe true emancipation is yet to happen, irrespective of region, culture or economic status.

Not so long ago the urban world was in the grip of a #MeToo movement. It brought forth the despicable truth and the ugly grittiness of patriarchy; the deep prejudices and the hypocrisy women are faced with in their everyday lives. Most importantly it proved that when it comes to the gender foodchain, women have yet to take the same rung as men.

Having said that, I would also not give

Not so long ago the urban world was in the grip of a #MeToo movement. It brought forth the ugly grittiness of patriarchy

women a clean chit. There are ample examples of women pulling down others of their ilk at the workplace, on social media or whenever the opportunity arises.

We might have come a long way baby – as the iconic ad once said – but we still have a long way to go.

And I’m not sure if celebrating Women’s Day would take us there.