Lekhny post -10-Dec-2021

                           DO WOMEN HAVE THE LIBERTY THEY DESERVE?

                                                              BY NOOR TABASSUM.

We are living in an era where science and technology are producing magic every day. Currently, the world has progressed to the extent that sometimes I become flabbergasted. We have learned to fly high up in the sky; we can communicate with a person thousands of kilometers away from us seeing them, send messages to each other in a matter of seconds, and so on. Could man imagine all these a hundred years back? Certainly not. It seemed impossible to them. But today, it is a reality. Man has used all his creativity and positive energy to reach the planets distant away. It is highly praiseworthy.

 Despite all these progressions, still, numerous issues are haunting human beings today. These issues are a shame to society that we wonder if we live in such an advanced world. Are we humans with such high intellect? Are we having any empathy for each other, or have we turned into robots?

Out of the numerous social evils, the one which disturbs me the most is the discrimination shown to women. In a society where women are worshipped in temples, she is treated like a burden in real life.

 I am proud to be born in a country where women are not just respected but worshipped. They are good luck charms. They are the goddess of money, knowledge, and strength. Their power is celebrated.  A girl is born as:

 a daughter, bringing good tiding to the parents,

a sister, bringing a sense of responsibility to a brother,

a wife, getting happiness and content to a husband,

a mother, bringing life to run this world.

She was born with so many responsibilities to carry on her shoulders.

 Nature has given equal importance to both males and females. No doubt both are different in many aspects, but both are equal. A male may exceed a female in strength and courage; a female excels in patience, endurance, and tolerance. Both play a similar and helpful role in running a society and subsequently run this universal system. Then why have women considered the weaker sex? Why is she deprived of her rights and considered a decorative item at home? Why is female infanticide taking place? Why are they not considered for education by parents over a son? Why are the rape cases at their peak?

We forget to realize that woman is meant to bring life to this world. By killing her as an infant, we are ending the source which brings life on earth. This could be because giving birth to a female is considered a shame by most backward people. How and why did this feeling come into existence? It is because of some greedy, insensitive, and inconsiderate men. They think that the crimes in this world are because of women; their beauty is the cause of all crime. It should be locked and imprisoned behind a hundred veils. Why don't they think that modesty is a virtue for all human beings? Men should also protect their innocence and raging hormones. What has a woman to do if someone more powerful than her forces himself on her? It is a shame for him. An innocent and strengthless woman is not to be blamed. What could she do if he showed all his strength and masculinity to her? The men who force themselves on women should be shot dead for killing her innocence, for wounding her soul, and shaking her self-confidence. If this rule comes into existence, there will be no man who would ever try to impose himself on a woman. If this rule comes into reality, child molestation, rapes, and crimes of a similar kind will come to an end. The brutality of men will come to a halt.

 Children should be taught from childhood itself to respect a woman. They should be told that modesty is the virtue of a brave soul. They should be taught that by honouring women, they are honouring God.

The second biggest setback in this society for a woman is being deprived of her education rights. She is not encouraged out of the fear that she may divert from her path. Sometimes considering poverty, she is made to sit at home and do domestic chores and occasionally in the name of family esteem. Parents think that it is better to learn to do cleaning and cooking rather than getting her educated. Sons are given more prominence over daughters as they are considered breadwinners. But I'm afraid that's not right. Both have equal rights to education. A learned woman is an asset to society. She is educated to prosper herself and for all her progeny's future. An educated mom can guide her kids in the right direction. She gets control to teach her kids in every situation. An educated girl has the authority to face the world and earn her living in every adverse case. She will not be a burden on anyone. There are several incidences where a woman has taken care of the entire family. She has supported and led them. Then why rob her of such good fortune?

At certain times, when girls are not educated, they are forced into the wrong profession. They are obligated to prostitution. It is one of the most vicious works one could do. A woman's soul is dead, her body is wounded, and her spirits are curbed. Her respect is lost in society. She is looked down on in the community, where it is not her culpability too.

Another critical issue is marrying a girl at an early age. Parents usually think that girls are a burden on their chest. They try to get rid of this burden as soon as possible. They do not think twice before they fix their marriages, even before the completion of their education. In the quest to get her married, they do accept all the undue demands of the groom. They receive lakhs of rupees as dowry. They are increasing the greed of absurd people in society. Are girls equal to animals that need to be sold? Parents are sending her away from her house as well as paying for that. What a shame!! Why should the boys be rewarded money and riches to marry a girl? He is not losing anything. Girls must leave the house they were brought up in; they must leave their comfort and loved ones to adjust to every new entity. They should be appreciated and celebrated. I fail to understand this opposite logic.

Dowry is that social evil that is eating up the society and making it hollow like the termites which hollow the wood. Poor parents face so much of the burden of getting their daughters married that they do all sorts of loans to pay dowry. Probably that is why a girl is not welcomed at her birth. A girl's father must bear all the marriage expenses and the unjustifiable demands of the groom's family. Isn't it a pity? Are the ones who demand luxury from others any better than beggars?

 If this society should progress and be appreciated, this most devastating evil should be handled and solved. Young men should come forward to fight this evil. They should have the guts to say "NO" to the dowry offered. They should trust their capability to earn and keep their family happy.

A happy and progressive society starts when we start thinking positively and healthily. Changes always start from us. When we change, the changes can be made in the community. We need to encourage each other's strengths and use them positively to build a strong nation. We need to rise above the communal clutches, greed, and jealousy to progress in society. Children should be given a free and happy ambiance to flourish and grow. They should be taught the crucial and essential lessons of life from the sprouting age.

It pains me to see how some men think women should be given no right even to move about freely. My heart salutes and respects women like Chandra Tomar and Prakashi Tomar, who broke such norms of society when everybody thinks to surrender. They broke all the orthodox and wicked customs of society. They stood up for themselves and won the shooting competitions for older adults in their late 60s and became an inspiration for millions of girls worldwide—my salutes to such women. A little courage and sensibility won the hearts of millions as well as became an inspiration for lakhs.

We may reach the moon and the planets, but civilization prospers when everybody in the culture evolves gradually. A community is appreciated if the public's women are at peace and are free to do their positive will. Their energy should not be curbed. A woman is a treasure. After all, paradise lies on her feet. We all should develop her in the real sense by ward of the false glasses of hypocrisy. We cannot worship her in one place and thrash her in another place. We heartily need to work towards her well-being. Only then will this society be called a progressed guild. Only then can we live in peace.

NOOR TABASSUM

IG ID - @noortabassumali123