This Women's Day Let's Reflect On How EMPOWERED Women Actually Are!!

Amidst the gender labels and the modern concept of feminism, most women are living with the feeling of merely a fake sense of empowerment. A UN study finds that almost 90% of the men and women are biased against women! Shocking isn’t it!

The research checked biases around seven indicators by asking whether or not men make better political leaders; women and men have the same rights; the university is more important for men than women; men should have more rights to a job than women; men make better business executives; physical violence by a partner is ever justified; and, finally, whether or not women should be granted full reproductive rights. Read here..

Another research of a pan- IIM survey on “Women in the Workplace” states that in 2020 around 49% of alumnae and female students of the elite Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) feel they do not have the same opportunities for career growth as men in their organizations. The respondents are mid to senior management levels across various industries.

We, women, believe that we are empowered because we are allowed to study, are hired by enormous organizations at somewhat less payroll, are subject to a few leadership positions as per the guidelines from some authoritative figure on the board and are allowed to run political campaigns. My question is simple, why do we need permission? Where did this idea took its first breath that women are a weaker gender? Who was the first person to voice this opinion and who were the people agreeing upon this information? Why are we not doing anything to change this belief?

On this the occasion of Women’s day, we are offered discounts at various shopping outlets, some are offering free pints of beer, some are offering their social media accounts but nobody is offering what we really need! A guarantee for equal treatment everywhere!

Always remember that behind every sexist joke there is a woman smiling awkwardly because she doesn't want to be considered a basic bitch who can't be a sport. I am not an angry woman on social media and I am certainly not against the spirit of Women’s Day but I do believe that commercializing women empowerment is not good for us in the longer-term.

HER STORY:

“There are no strict rules implemented, especially in Indian companies, to prevent women from getting sexually harassed. During my interview in 2017, I was asked about my marriage plans because they didn't want to hire a woman if she is planning to get married in the next few years because they assumed that she'll leave or relocate for her husband. When it comes to empowerment, even if companies claim to have policies in place for sexual harassment, women still feel hesitant about coming forward with their complaints as they can get fired. I filed a complaint with my HR for getting verbally harassed by some men in my office and I got a written apology. Later in my absence, they conducted interviews and fired me saying I wasn't performing well.”

“I don't believe that we are past all the gender biases in the 21st century also, be it in terms of any gender, every person should be considered as an individual, a living creature first and then be called of a particular gender. This is what is supposed to be done technically but we still categorize the gender first and bases upon the same parameter signify the characteristics of that 'Genderized individual'. Surely, we are moving towards empowerment but by all means of the above said and experience, are not yet empowered. Empowerment is not something taught in school books, Yes it definitely is affected by the level of education one receives. I believe empowerment is something beyond literal education when you as an individual empathize the others and take a step. Not that you make yourself a safe play first and then just take a few steps here and there.”

PS: The image used is a social media campaign by Loreal Paris depicting the stats of women at the workplace thereby standing for women empowerment!