Mary Jayne Pinheiro
The Indian Constitution grants women and men equal rights, but it is noted that the discrimination against women is perpetrated by the patriarchal order.
There are lakhs of domestic violence cases which are registered all over India, while there is also equal percentage of women who accept domestic violence as normal and as a result they bear the violence silently. The survey conducted by National Family Health Survey in Maharashtra (when it was conducted) reveals some shocking findings that 49% of the women justify domestic violence at the hands of their husbands. They simply refuse to accept the physical assault on them as barbaric. These type of women are brought up in a strong patriarchal tradition. They are made to think that the man is the head of the house. The woman is not aware that she is kept in a state of dependence. She is made to think that she cannot think for herself without a man. Actually to say women have become the victims of injustice, suppression, oppression, subjugation and exploitation is totally inappropriate. Women are themselves responsible for the above factors. They are also responsible for becoming the victims of injustice. A woman does not know the power of being a woman.
Since centuries women are taught that they are inferior compared to men. No man or woman is superior or inferior. Both have equal role to play in their families and society.
It is a known fact that women have a lack of confidence to understand the ‘womanhood’. This is perhaps the main reason a woman has a different attitude in understanding another woman. There are several cases seen where the in laws are harassing the daughters-in-law and vice- versa. In fact they do not know to treat another woman. Women have become the biggest enemies of themselves.
The biggest Indian soap opera ‘KyunKi Saas Bhi Khabi Bahu Thi’ carried the perfect message for the women that a mother-in-law was once a daughter-in-law too. But sadly, human minds always grab the negativity first. They only know to imitate others. Many of our women emulate the bad characters as shown in the serials. Their mind learns how to play games with other women and are responsible for creating disharmony in their lives. They fail to understand the actual message of these serials where efforts are made to educate and change the mindset and perception of men and women in understanding the serious family, social and several other issues that our society is facing today.
There are unending stories of extra-marital affairs that exist in our society. Again here, a woman is involved in illegitimate relationship. Can we blame a man for this? Man is polygamous by nature; most of them are always in search of new sexual partners at any age. There are only few men who are faithful to their spouses. When a woman is involved in relationship with a married man she not only break the heart of another woman but she breaks that family. She does not even realise that children suffer the most in family breakups.
Firstly, a woman should understand the other woman. A woman has to bring a radical change in her attitude and thoughts. Women should be aware and self realise that it is not just the men but it is they who are responsible for endorsing the patriachy and polygamy in our society.
It is time women respect womanhood and not emulate men, for this alone glorifies patriarchy. Let women be women, woman be proud of herself as a woman. It is only then that she will respect and treat another woman the way she would want her to be treated.
