- Of late, certain incidents witnessed in the largely patriarchal, misogynistic, and male-dominated society of India should be warming the cockles of those who wish to see gender parity and equality take center stage rather than remain mere rhetoric being bandied about during some such occasions. Aided by relentless efforts by every stakeholder to usher in unbiased treatment to both genders, heartwarming visible changes are coming to light from across the length and breadth of the nation. Hitherto unheard-of glass ceilings are broken with alarming regularity even as women empowerment in literal terms steadily gains grounds.
PC: Abigail Lister
- Of course, not that the zealously guarded male dominance has paved way for equality overnight. But the changes are palpable for sure. We as a nation should be feeling proud about the way more and more women are assuming roles and responsibilities earlier identified with males. Right from donning the exalted position of a CEO heading the business behemoths to flying the fighter aircraft, women are showing they are second to none in shouldering those challenging roleplays. It is also heartening to note that women are not feeling intimated anymore in throwing a challenge or two to break the long-held views, customs, traditions, and cultural affiliations too.
- As you are aware, there are women priests too well qualified to conduct rites and rituals usually associated with their male counterparts. Societal acceptance is gaining ground by the day, you see. One such ground shattering incident was reported recently when a bride rode on her steed, holding up her sword, all set to swoop on her groom. That image of a young woman spoke so much sending social media into a frenzy. This relates to an Ambala wedding grabbing attention with this reversal of traditional roles, which the bride and her family described as an assertion of equality. More power to her, for doing it her way.
PC: Sylvester Tamang
- How assiduously traditions are controlled by the patriarchy can be gauged by the fact that the Dalit grooms have to fight social intimidation even now to ride horses in their own baraats, claiming their right to equal dignity. Note that marriage and family are nothing but male-controlled institutions, designed for the ‘husbanding’ of property and control of reproduction. No wonder most wedding traditions across cultures and communities are rooted in those assumptions. Right from the groom asking the father for permission to the father giving away his daughter, it is seen as an exchange between men.
- We know how an engagement ring or sindoor, and mangalsutra are considered as marks of women’s possession where men do not have to sport one. In a Christian wedding, the white dress signifies virginal purity. In Muslim and orthodox Jewish traditions too, gender separation is essential. Also, in most cultures, a woman takes her husband’s last name, erasing her past identity. Thus, it is refreshing to see people interrogate custom, and make it meaningful for themselves. Though many prefer the familiarity of tradition, cannot question their choice, these standout examples make us think more clearly about what marriage is, and how that commitment can be interpreted in a changed time. Three cheers to women’s power! Hip, hip, hurray!
