Women Empowerment: A Myth or Reality
societal norms and standards burden their lives, making them trivial things in society
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah describes, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you”. His quote clearly underscores the importance of the untapped resource of the earth — women being half of the world’s population.
Women’s empowerment in all aspects of life is very crucial to running the engine of the world. It is a myth whenever we look at the atrocities women face across the globe. Contrary to this, some women in some countries enjoy the status of heads of state and government. But, the latter scenario does not represent equality of all women on all fronts.
They are not behind anyone, have equal human and constitutional rights, and are independent in all of their choices. But, I think, all this sounds good in words, not in actions.
Women are widely stigmatized and face patriarchy and prejudiced behavior of men. They are vulnerable to sexism and do not get their equal rights as are prescribed by the constitution of any country. All this intensifies their plight around the world.
No matter how beautiful they are, how wise they are, they are considered a marginalized segment of society. They face harassment — in various forms, including verbal, physical and sexual abuse — at work places, in streets and at transportation facilities.
They even fall victim to environmental catastrophes more than men. A lot of healthcare challenges viz. breast cancer, mental disorders and other complications are also faced by them globally. Asako Okai, the former Secretary General of the UNO said,
“When disaster strikes, women and children are 14 times more prone to death than men”.
They are also denied their right to access contraceptives, to have their say in family planning choices and their reproductive right is considered beyond their reach. Moreover, women in rural areas and belonging to low-income families face discrimination in their right to education. Their interests in the field of politics are also put at stake.
There is a long list that describes all loopholes in this regard.
Besides that, we need to celebrate their achievements. They are doing whatever is attributed only to men. They have reached the North and South Poles, in the depths of marine, in the highs of the sky, to the peaks of the 8000s. They even have ruled and are ruling the countries.
The great ladies like Sirimavo Bandranaike (Sri Lankan PM), Margaret Thatcher (PM of the UK), Benazir Bhutto (PM of Pakistan), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), Jaccinda Ardren (PM of New Zealand), Sana Marian (PM of Finland) etc. have enjoyed the glorious period of their eras.
It is suggested that women should be treated as humans, not as animals or aliens. They must be allowed all their fundamental rights, irrespective of their colour, culture, creed, and social status. They need respect and due care from their parents, their counterparts and emancipation from verbal abuse from arrogants.
Their health, education, and social status should be the top priority of every country. The media should play its constructive role in creating the avenues of success for and acceptance of their role in society.
