I have always wondered how it's like to walk on a road with my female friends after sunset without the fear of being judged by the alarming eyes of a man sneaking around and we will be in danger. It's weird living in the same country, in the same city, in the same century, in the same year, hour and minute in the same minute but frightened of the opposite gender.
From the beginning, I have seen my mom never going out without my dad for any of the activities, me being little and thinking why is that? I have never understood why it works like this. While I have also noticed sometimes men have their old boys network, bro-codes, and other ways of collaborating and supporting each other, I haven’t seen so much happening between women. Until now. I have heard many stories of girls not being able to complete their studies because their parents want them to see in a red dress instead of a black coat and a hat, stories where I have covered up myself but still being gazed at terribly by man, the story where I m being bashed for doing something for my happiness, I remember every time I was not listened by my family, stories where I am guilty of doing the best I can do for me as well as for everyone. I see myself in every girl. When I say I understand them It means I feel them. I can feel how that genius girl in my school wished to be an engineer, but her dreams were ignored. I can feel how my cousin does not meet her friends after marriage because her in-laws don't allow her to. What if my uncle doesn't let my cousin's husband go out with friends, weird right? Yesterday a friend of mine told me where they have an industrial visit for their final year project and the girls of their batch aren't allowed to go only boys are because males can handle them. However, traditional values and expectations of women within the family and society persist. Even in modern societies, women still face discrimination in the workplace and have unequal access to career opportunities. They are over-represented in the lower levels of the organization but are under-represented in managerial and top leadership levels.
As I grew up all of it gave me thought about what life would have been like for me if I were a boy. It’s an interesting perspective, don’t you think? I wonder how the rules would differ, how many more opportunities the married girls would have, and how much more they could get away with if they were a boy. But It's just a thought, besides the fact I m very grateful for being a daughter and a sister.
Finally, all of it gave me my definition of gender equality. I am talking about gender equality where I have the support of my father my brother my uncle, my husband, my cousin and my male friend and so on. I urge gender equality in the face of respect from any man out there for every woman. Not only for the women of their homes but for the women of the world. Where they stand with my decision not against my decision.Where my father knows if his son can set up a business at the same time he can say with surety that his daughter has the power to run the business. It's a fight against abusers not against man in any form, for everyone to have freedom and experience equality. Equality in my eyes is treating people, in the same way, does not matter whatever their gender is, and giving each person the opportunity to achieve the same outcome as the next person regardless of their situation. Whenever the word gender equality comes up people start to get disconcerted by the topic. The first word in mind why? because we as a country as a citizen as a mother as a father brother sister friend male or female and so on are not ready to understand the term.
I believe Man is a supporter of a woman so do women are supporters of men. Equality is also not about achieving the same results. Gender equality does not mean equal opportunity in every space. A small woman is not able to carry the same weight as a strong man. Maybe women cannot run as fast as men. What it does mean is that each in their own space should be equally respected and feel appreciated. I do not believe in the superiority of women if she is dominating a man neither I believe in the superiority of a man if he is dominating a woman. Superiority belongs to only theocentric. I want to see that every woman in my world has the right to not be afraid of going somewhere if she is not traveling with any of the male guards. Her dreams are not getting neglected for the sake of her marriage.
This quote by Gloria Steinem always makes me believe in gender equality:
“A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.”
I am so glad to see that McDonald's has started a female delivery ridders service. Where they are providing flexible shifts, traveling allowance, and life/Accidental insurance. More needs to be done to achieve gender equality from the education of boys as well as girls to change the societal norms of male and female roles. Having more women economically active in society brings about huge benefits to companies, society, and ultimately, the country. Need to see more improvements for the betterment of society.
Let's Make yourself a priority❤️ never shrink your standards to accommodate the next person. Keep your head up, keep speaking about your mind without worrying about people. Equality shall be achieved so long as we continue empowering one another with skills necessary to break the gender stereotyping of Women.
