In India we have a peculiar perspective of the feminine gender. On the one hand, we revere them as goddesses and deities and on the other they are one of the most suppressed and marginalised in the society. In classical Hinduism, there is the hierarchy of gods and while the male gods have their supremacy, it is their wives or consorts who wield a great amount of influence on their better halves. So much so, these goddesses have their own temples and rites. Moving away from the structured religion, even among the tribals and other castes, female gods supersede their male counterparts not just in influence but in numbers as well.
But when it comes to actual living, women find themselves at the bottom of the hierarchical structure. Worse if they belong to any of the already marginalised communities: tribals, dalits and other religions. Double suppression. In spite of having the most number of female gods across any country in the world, India also stands out for the number of rapes that are carried out in the country.
On the one hand, the mother in the family is the one most loved and considered the backbone of the family, women in general are the least respected in society. Prior to becoming a mother, a woman right since her birth is merely a burden, or a risk which constantly needs to be supervised, protected and 'preserved'.
The feminine gender is revered but not respected; and this lacunae needs to be addressed not in the society as a whole but in the family. No amount of laws and ordinances will change the scenario unless a girl - and a boy - is treated fairly at home by all the members of the family.
But when it comes to actual living, women find themselves at the bottom of the hierarchical structure. Worse if they belong to any of the already marginalised communities: tribals, dalits and other religions. Double suppression. In spite of having the most number of female gods across any country in the world, India also stands out for the number of rapes that are carried out in the country.
On the one hand, the mother in the family is the one most loved and considered the backbone of the family, women in general are the least respected in society. Prior to becoming a mother, a woman right since her birth is merely a burden, or a risk which constantly needs to be supervised, protected and 'preserved'.
The feminine gender is revered but not respected; and this lacunae needs to be addressed not in the society as a whole but in the family. No amount of laws and ordinances will change the scenario unless a girl - and a boy - is treated fairly at home by all the members of the family.
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