- Since times immemorial, the fate of the women remains unchanged expecting them to play out under the proverbial shadow of menfolk. Even Mother Nature is biased in her blessings as women are genetically programmed to undergo varied challenges and at the same time allowing humanity to thrive by procreating unencumbered. Despite millenniums behind us, the history yet far is replete with extremely rare cases of women appearing in the forefront which is otherwise the hallowed and zealously guarded preserve of male counterparts. No wonder, women are expected to essay a largely supporting role even after all these years of suppression, restrictions, bias, inequality, disrespect, and severe lack of a level playing field.
PC: kultplus
- Aptly mirrors society’s male-dominated chauvinism and misogynist viewpoints going unchallenged. Even though the so-called modernity defined present-day circumstances largely driven by humongous technological advancement in the veritable field makes loud noise of presenting gender parity, equality, and deserved respect, the reality on the ground says it all as women are still subjected to treatment which is far from being categorized as at par with men. Women are shown less confidence and consequently, are deprived of entrusting with responsibilities on matters concerning sheer physical exertions like wars and insurgencies unlike men, again. The gender bias is deeply entrenched, you see.
- Hence, it comes as no surprise that past experiences and available historical evidence suggest that far less than 1% of all warriors in history have been women. The sage is no different even today if we only go by who makes the decisions and who holds the guns as the business of war seems largely restricted to men. Looking at the tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, women are again identified as the easy target for unleashing the fundamentalists’ jihadi agenda. Women are subjected to extremely deplorable measures such as compulsory shoving into burqas, ejection from workplaces, schools, and government jobs.
PC: TANZIM PARDIWALLA
- Unfortunately, the future for women appears anything but rosy as they will be treated like slaves, bearing children as the staple role, and carry out the bidding of men. Past instances like Bangladesh war Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda, and the list is endless of women paying disproportionate costs in conflict situations. Come to think of it, how the world would look different if women were less hidden at the high states’ tales of international relations. The 2000 Security Council resolution calling for women’s equal participation in all efforts to maintain peace and security was based on this understanding, even if its adoption has been sadly lacking.
- Allowing women into peacekeeping also entails women’s participation in war rooms to acquire a serious uptick. Understand that the stakes of peace and security are different for men and women, and hence, they could manage conflicts very differently espousing humane side, gentleness, and patience personifying which might be sorely missing in men. All stakeholders in the running of society in whatever forms should come out of mere posturing, sound bites, and speaking to the audience which will only succeed in eliciting cynicism. Need of the hour is to walk the talk and to act fast without waiting for an opportune time.
