Societal retrogression to social amelioration

The country all over has been mourning the death of Nirbhaya and agitated by the series of rapes and assaults on women. People have demonstrated their outrage by coming down to streets against heinous crimes. Networking sites were stormed with messages, campaigns to stand for women's rights to protection, safety and security. There have been ongoing debates to discuss the issue on many channels attempting to seek solutions and put a stop to these despicable crimes.

These efforts have gone in vain and have done nothing to stop women from being abused and their rights being violated. In fact the number of cases being reported has incessantly increased. Not a day goes by without hearing the news of either a young girl or a woman. A woman at all ages is equally vulnerable of being abused, there is no place safe enough for women. Women are petrified at the thought of walking home alone and parents terrified at sending their girls alone as a result curbing their mobility and freedom.

We sure had come a long way from bringing about a sea change in the status of women. The social reformers had paved a path where women could tread freely whether it was Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule, Ishwarchand vidyasagar or Raja Ram Mohan Roy  who advocated girl child education and women's rights in the country.  The occurrence of these cases of violence might yet again impose restrictions on women blaming her and making her responsible for the acts of violence. This might result in putting the woman behind closed doors under the garb of protection and safety limiting her of her chances to explore the world in her own way while compromising on her freedom.

There is no one way of controlling the situation and making the country more gender friendly, based on principles of equality and equity. It needs a systemic change where through education we attempt to bring about a change in the mindset of people.  Legal reforms are the need of the hour where we have stricter laws that are well thought, enacted by giving quick justice.

The mind set of people is not easy to change we need to start working on it from our own families by giving equal rights to boys and girls, not bringing a divide through the patriarchy supported gender roles. We need to teach our children to respect women by not just making them study about respect to women in the moral values class but also role modelling them at home. Promotion of gender sensitization at home and at school/ colleges will bring about a change in the mindset of people.

A long way to go in bringing a systemic change in the society but concerted efforts will definitely pay off. So, lets all bear the torch trying to save our society from retrogression to amelioration

The earnest prayer of a mother

Today in the evening I went to the park and  saw a a young girl aged eight with her mother. Her mother was holding her hands tightly and seemed to be scared to leave her alone. But the girl managed to set herself free and play. The mother located her and brought her back not letting the girl out of her site.

The mother asked her to stay around and not wander off. The girl said that she wanted to play with others, to which her mother replied a curt no. The girl was very angry with her mother and sulked immediately for not being allowed to play with her friends but couldn't help but obey her mother.

She quietly sat beside her and asked, 'why can't I play like others? ' I want to play with my friends and enjoy my time with them. The mother gave her a grim look, the girl froze for some time. But children at times are unnerved by looks and words, they don't stop asking questions. she then asked her mother,' Are you scared of losing me? The expressions of the mother suddenly softened and with a loving gaze she said ,'  yes my dear.' The girl sensed the flow of emotions and assured the mother by saying, ' don't you fear maa I will never leave you. I will be there with you always and make you proud.'

The mother filled with love and affection kissed the girl lightly on her cheeks and embraced her. I was touched by this beautiful conversation between a mother and a daughter. This prompted me to think of what does any mother want for her child?

A woman when conceives connects to her unborn child feeling a strong affinity towards her baby. From that time onwards she earnestly prays for her child's good health and safety. She wants everyone to selflessly love the child like she does. She is constantly thinking of securing her child's tomorrow. When she gives birth to a daughter she is groped in fear for her child. It pains that her daughter may not be valued in the family. She apprehends the violence she will face when she grows up in every phase of her life.She wants her daughter to breathe freely and disengage herself from the shackles that pull her away from her liberation.

She prays for her daughter to live her life with dignity, have a life where she is valued for her innate abilities and not disrespected and abused for being born a woman. She prays for her to aspire and fulfill her dreams without any controls on her ambitions and goals. She is seeking a life for her daughter where there is no restriction on her mobility. A place where she is a woman who can control her life and has freedom to express her emotions without any restraint. She prays for her daughter to be independent and live to the fullest. She prays that she gets the opportunity to live without any physical and emotional scars.

It is the right time today when we celebrate the National Girl Child Day to echo a mothers prayers and   pledge to be instrumental and a catalyst in creating sensitivity for girl children and make the masses of this country aware of their responsibilities towards the girl children in the country to respect girls and treat them with equality. Give them the opportunity and right environment to thrive and flourish in their lives making the country a better place for women to live without the fear of the unknown always lurking behind.