Naariyan
So, today is International Women's Day. I've been getting happy messages on WhatsApp since morning. Frankly, it's getting boring now.
It is Women's Day, so? There are special offers in shopping malls, restaurants, et cetera, so? Offices are celebrating today by giving the female workers an off, so?
Women's Day is not a legit holiday in our country. Hell, it's not even an unofficial holiday.
And why should it be, right?
India ranks 136th in the Developed Countries of the World list, you know.
Now, Pakistan ranks 146th, and the working women there celebrate this day, every year, to honour and carry forward their struggle for due rights, despite the cultural, social and religious restrictions they face.
Taiwan is among the 10 countries in East Asia that have a high Human Development Index. You know what happens there on the 8th of March every year? This day is marked by the annual release of a government survey on women's waist sizes, accompanied by warning that weight gain can pose a hazard to women's health.
Aur humare Bharat me kya hota hai?
Newspapers come out with special editions. There are some brilliant articles and columns, I agree. I read them. I love them. Then what happens? Nothing! What's supposed to happen, huh?
Eateries have special discounts for women. Okay. Nice. Indulge. Pudhe?
Huge sales in malls and places. Yay! We're goin' shoppin'!
There are discounts on flight tickets, for women, with an all-women crew.Way to go!
While these all are really good offers, but are they really doing anything at all to empower women? They are just there to protect them, nurture them.
Then there's also that thing where women wear pink dresses, sarees, skirts, tops on this day. Why pink? Why not orange, or white? Or green? Blue? Why the hell not?
The "modern" generation talks about being rebellious, fighting stereotypes, going against social norms that do not appeal to us, question social standards of "beauty"; and still celebrate Women's Day wearing 'pink'. Name 5 five men that you personally know, who openly wore pink today. I dare you.
You really want to do something for us?
Teach the kids who have just started their school years, to treat their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, teachers properly. Teach the girls to respect themselves, pamper themselves, treat themselves. Being a girl is not and cannot, I repeat, cannot, be a reason for being a crybaby and whine about every small thing; I know boys who are like that. Teach your sons, and daughters, too, to give compliments to other daughters, instead of mean names based on the her body, hair colour, complexion. Teach the girls to not be afraid to do what they want. Say "Screw that bastard over, twice as bad, because he messed with you. I'll be here if you need anything," instead of "forget it, you can't do anything, he's a boy, shush".
Dikhla de thenga un sab ko jo udna na jane, okay?
I am not asking you to go to villages and spread awareness (although if you're up for it, let's do it). I'm asking you to start with yourself. Itna toh kar hi sakte ho na, bhai?
PS Happy Women's Day. Or not...
It is Women's Day, so? There are special offers in shopping malls, restaurants, et cetera, so? Offices are celebrating today by giving the female workers an off, so?
Women's Day is not a legit holiday in our country. Hell, it's not even an unofficial holiday.
And why should it be, right?
India ranks 136th in the Developed Countries of the World list, you know.
Now, Pakistan ranks 146th, and the working women there celebrate this day, every year, to honour and carry forward their struggle for due rights, despite the cultural, social and religious restrictions they face.
Taiwan is among the 10 countries in East Asia that have a high Human Development Index. You know what happens there on the 8th of March every year? This day is marked by the annual release of a government survey on women's waist sizes, accompanied by warning that weight gain can pose a hazard to women's health.
Aur humare Bharat me kya hota hai?
Newspapers come out with special editions. There are some brilliant articles and columns, I agree. I read them. I love them. Then what happens? Nothing! What's supposed to happen, huh?
Eateries have special discounts for women. Okay. Nice. Indulge. Pudhe?
Huge sales in malls and places. Yay! We're goin' shoppin'!
There are discounts on flight tickets, for women, with an all-women crew.Way to go!
While these all are really good offers, but are they really doing anything at all to empower women? They are just there to protect them, nurture them.
Then there's also that thing where women wear pink dresses, sarees, skirts, tops on this day. Why pink? Why not orange, or white? Or green? Blue? Why the hell not?
The "modern" generation talks about being rebellious, fighting stereotypes, going against social norms that do not appeal to us, question social standards of "beauty"; and still celebrate Women's Day wearing 'pink'. Name 5 five men that you personally know, who openly wore pink today. I dare you.
You really want to do something for us?
Teach the kids who have just started their school years, to treat their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, teachers properly. Teach the girls to respect themselves, pamper themselves, treat themselves. Being a girl is not and cannot, I repeat, cannot, be a reason for being a crybaby and whine about every small thing; I know boys who are like that. Teach your sons, and daughters, too, to give compliments to other daughters, instead of mean names based on the her body, hair colour, complexion. Teach the girls to not be afraid to do what they want. Say "Screw that bastard over, twice as bad, because he messed with you. I'll be here if you need anything," instead of "forget it, you can't do anything, he's a boy, shush".
Dikhla de thenga un sab ko jo udna na jane, okay?
I am not asking you to go to villages and spread awareness (although if you're up for it, let's do it). I'm asking you to start with yourself. Itna toh kar hi sakte ho na, bhai?
PS Happy Women's Day. Or not...
THANK YOU!!! Quite honestly, I don't get the point of this day at all. Probably, somewhere (more deprived) people need to be reminded of the "fairer" sex. But seriously? Discounts and Pink? Pfft.
ReplyDeleteSo, THANK YOU Gargi for asking for something more tangible and beneficial than more clothes for my already over-stuffed cupboard [not that I don't love shopping ;)]