Two bodies,namely Adam & Eve were enlivened by The Supreme Deity on an even footing. But the Divine equilibrium has dreadfully lopsided .The famous jurist Abraham Lincoln says ,
“ The woman was not taken
From Adam’s head,we know,
To show she must not rule him-
‘Tis evidently so.
The woman she was taken
From under Adam’s arm,
So she must be protected
From injuries and harm.”
Now,if we go by default the above lines, a ‘man’ has been taken from the womb of a woman – his mother. This implies that menfolk must be enveloped in unceasing care and cuddles . Right !!!
America & Abraham apart,let’s look into India.
Goddess in ancient India, beauty behind the caul in mediaeval times, commodity later, now…she is statured in conked out stilettoes.
In the early vedic age, substantive veneration was stamped on the woman. She was synonymous with ‘ardhangini’ or ‘sadharmani’. To boot, she was was put before in the nomenclature of couples, eg. Sita-Ram, Radhe-Shyam .
With the entrance of Islamic rulers in Bharat, the position of woman reached the zenith of despondency. Particularly during the reign oh Mohd.Ghori, the female lot was subjected to perpetual barbarism.
Good riddance! The English left.But ,one job which they undertook is highly commendable. ie. Abolition of ‘sati’(by Lord William Bentick in 1829), for whatever reason it was done. In the 19th century, many social crusaders put the work of upliftment of woman on the fast track. To name a few, Ishwar Chandar Vidyasagar , Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayanada Saraswati .
In defiance of all these drives, the term ‘weaker sex’, ‘weaker’ for oblivious reasons, continues to catch the lips of anybody, everybody . Let us, in nutshell, study a girl’s life. Either killed in the womb or, if, when born, her cries are subdued by moans around. Greatest laments are felt by the old ladies of the house who are ironically ‘females’. A girl’s male siblings are placed before her on the priority platform. After her marriage, besides being on her toes around the clock, she has to give ears to nasty jibes from in-laws.
Sexual harassment, female-foeticide, female-infanticide etc. are the much talked about, least worked on issues which are curbing the Indian society towards an agonizing end.
Foeticide means killing of an unborn being(while in the womb).
Every year, Punjab kills almost 1 lakh girls, before they can breathe their first (couldn't get the stats for other states).
Aminocentesis(sex detection test) first began in India in 1974 to detect foetal abnormalities. This has taken a very derogatory shape over the years. What makes the nucleus for the desire of a boy’s birth? Reason one, to carry forward the name of the family. Secondly, to perform various rights and ceremonies. Also, to support the parents in senility.
Now, why has anything not proved constructive V. the female foeticide? Clear and convenient reply is that the law requires evidence which is hardly present. The diagnostic centres don’t give any report. There are no complainants. The patient,doctor,attendants are all in the league. Doctors have their own clandestine ways to let parents know the gender of the baby. All it costs is as less as Rs.25,000.
The Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique(PNDT) ACT,1995, Medical Termination of Pregnany(MTP) ACT, 1971 and other sections of Indian Penal Code, all stand crippled here.
Legislature frames laws, judiciary verifies it. And then …. Einie Minie Mianie Mo !!!
The big words in black and white undergo an eclipse while coming into maturity.
It was held in Vishakha V. State of Rajasthan, (AIR 1997 SC 3011), by The Apex Court that it was the duty of the management at the workplace to provide protection to women working there , both in Govt. departments and private companies.
Truth….Nothing, But The Truth … The Findings of a survey on sexual harassment of woman in workplace, conducted by The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) in 2003 held that The Supreme Court guidelines to prevent sexual harassment continued to be ignored by many State Govts..
The cases pertaining to this context are not brought up because of social stigma attached and the un-professional way in which these issues are dealt with.
Bringing up female infanticide, not apparent these days, maybe done by stealth. A practise among Rajputs in yester years where an infant girl was strangled to death soon after her birth. Reason being, desire for gallant sons and to prevent capture of the maiden by the Muslim rulers.
In India, women have only 4.4% representation the Lok Sabha. The seats which are reserved for women in various institutions are booked by wives and daughters of male politicians .
Ever…ever… we’ve tampered with the nature, we’ve faced and are still nursing the aftermath. Ozone hole, extinction of various species of flora and fauna, depletion of natural resources etc..
WHY IS EVERYBODY KEEPING A BLIND SPOT ON THE TRUTH THAT IT IS THE “ FEMALE GENDER” WHICH IS SUSTAINING THE HUMAN GENUS !!!
A MAN, VERY COMMODIOUSLY FORGETS THAT HE WAS GIVEN HIS FLESH AND BLOOD BY HIS MOTHER. THE MOTHER, WHO NURTURED AND NOURISHED HIM FOR NINE MONTHS INSIDE HER, BROOKED THE KICKS AND THE BOXES, HAPPENS TO BE A “WOMAN”.
Gud times
-Tiwana