We are different

The struggle seems to be a constant phenomenon, not only because it is natural in progression but also humans take pride in struggling. However, apart from all the frictions, one that fails to subside is that of women. Sometimes it appears that women belong to a different planet for the reason their struggle for respect and choice is unending. The awareness, education and resources in contemporaneous times are unprecedented yet the struggle continues like never before.

I continue to believe that equality is unreal, but empowerment is inevitable. The issue is much complicated than it seems as it needs more of introspection both by men and women than agitation. At present, the whole criteria of women empowerment has consolidated as anti-men, we want equal status as men, we want choices as men, we want to stay out as men do. I fail to recognise this as a fight for equality or rights because 'to be like men' is not my reward as I am not a man. I am a woman who has a different perspective, different body and different sensitivity. I don’t want to be a man.

I choose to watch movies at a single screen theatre because it is cheaper and I relish the whistling and clapping that is deemed as inappropriate in a costly multiplex. It is my choice to save money but possibly had I been instructed to do so I would have resisted. Therefore, people should be entrusted with the freedom of choice as it comes with a sense of responsibility whereas suppression translates into belligerence that can be irresponsible. My mother is worried both about my brother and me when we are late in the night. However, she is more worried about me because my brother can drag his scooter if it fails but she does not want me to do the same. Can I complain for not allowing me to stay late in night?

There has always been a hue and cry about the way women should carry themselves. The whole debate precipitates on the western wears. But, what pains me are the uncomfortable stylish clothes or shoes worn irrespective of the weather conditions by both men and women. We should realise that clothes are worn for a purpose, let them do that. Defining people by their stylish costumes is foolhardy as it reduces them being a mannequin to the level that people look replicas. So, activate your grey cells and let you grace the brands and not the brands grace you (sadly these days people look like a walking ad campaign of the brands and they believe it adds to their value).

As a woman, I feel no shame in admitting my fragility and I would not like to compete on that aspect but I am multi-tasking with sharper senses and I would exploit my these abilities. I don’t want to entice myself in the debate about how women should dress as in any outfit I will perform the same. There are issues where I surrender to the men maybe not gladly but then there are issues where I don’t listen them. So, it’s not about equality but understanding and respecting each other’s concern. Nature fashioned men and women as complements not equals. We must reach out to capitalise on our differences than spend our energies to be equals. Whenever the question of equality arises then somewhere down the line there exists an equation of domination and subjugation. We should overcome this situation and learn to accommodate to each other’s peculiarities. Women and men together create the world so they need to nurture it together.

I am blessed with the men in my life who when seem to impose restrictions do so because they care for me and I can read that very well. I decrease my degrees of freedom for them as I also know how secure place this world is for both men and women.

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