Celebrating International Women's day

We talk about women's liberation and quote examples of power women who have balanced home and office with equal panache. Who have broken new ground by entering places which were an all men domain till some time back. We talk about how both the genders are equal. Are they really? Are women really as free as the men to do what they please? Do they really equal men? I am not referring to what women can do at their workplace. Given an opportunity, they can mighty well do all that a man can do, and sometimes even better than that. What I am focusing on is do they really have the empowerment to do what they want to?

No one questions a man who isn't married by the time he is thirty. No one questions a man who doesn't have kids by the time he turns thirty five. No one tells a man what to do and what not to do. But eyebrows are raised if a woman goes out with her male colleagues. Sniggering remarks are passed about her character if she is seen in male company. She isn't the ideal take home to mom kinds if she chooses to dress differently. If she speaks her mind. If she does does better than the men at work. 

Questions are raised if she decides to stay single. If she decides to not have kids. She is looked down upon as being extremely bold for dressing up the way she does and for provoking the perverts. No one blames the guy for the horrendous crimes that he commits against women. But she is ridiculed for having provoked the act. It's as if she asked for it. Men are like understood to have a wandering eye.Exercise their physical power. Excuse me! Who gave them a license to be this way in the first place? What makes them superior to women?

Parents aren't worried if their son gets home late. But they get worried sick if their daughter is not home by sunset. Because the world is bad. Women have to literally protect themselves from the predators. Who knows when she might have to pay heavily for being so naive and trusting. Why are women in the twenty first century treated like cattle and used solely to meet the needs of men. A guy having female friends is a sign of machismo. A girl having guy friends is a sign of her desperation sending the signals to all the well wishers in the family to get her married off on the next opportune date. You're single they ask why. You're committed they have a problem. Why has our society become this cruel to women? 

This is not to say that all men are bed. There are those gems who are extremely sensitive, caring and loving. Though it reminds me of this joke that goes- What do you call a man who is sensitive caring and rich. Answer- a rumor :-) Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against them. It's just that I think it's time the menfolk stopped treating womenfolk as objects, which are used at will and thrown away when something better comes along. It's time they respect them for the unique qualities that make women such caring, empathetic, loving and sensitive beings. 

They don't say it for nothing that behind every successful man is a woman. Who can match her patience, wit, love and care? Her support when the man needs it the most. Her encouragement in times of despair. Her ability to take it all in her stride. Her making the family a priority even though it means crushing the ambitions she has nursed since childhood. On a lighter note: 

"The trouble with some women is they get all excited about nothing - and then they marry him."- Cher

All of us, no matter how big or small, male or female, owe our lives to a woman. While Mother's Day may not be till May, let's celebrate all the women of the world for being themselves. Sugar and spice and everything nice!