THEY DON’T KNOW!! THEY DON’T WANT TO KNOW!!

What’s new in a woman’s world? A new saree, a new kitchen appliance, a new neighbour, a new baby!! Her whole life, she slogs for someone else- her father, her brother, her husband, her son. Slogs not by earning money, but by cooking, breeding, grooming and taking care of their domestic needs. Life begins from the womb of a mother- rightly said. But the same woman, when doesn’t want to undergo an intercourse or doesn’t want to give conceive, is not allowed to raise her opinion.

We all know domestic violence is an exceedingly dangerous trend in the society. The man of the house both due to alcohol and due to aggression, beats up his woman and expects her to shush up about the scene. As part of the ‘contract’ of marriage, she isn’t allowed to apply or wish for a divorce. Getting married is the sole purpose of such women, not willingly, but because of social pressure.

There is one such example of a lady who is by far, the strongest lady I have ever known- my maid, Mehaboob. She is a Muslim, a woman, a domestic help but most importantly, she is an Indian. She too has the right to freedom of speech but is she aware of it? No! Spreading awareness of these rights is of utmost importance, because many citizens tolerate injustice without knowing the fact that they too have a voice which can be raised to a limit without being afraid. Taking into account a more personal space, some rural women don’t even have the right to abstain from sex with their husband in order to prevent child birth. They are supposed to adjust and cooperate with the man, get pregnant like a million times even though she knows her body is not strong enough for another child birth.

And let’s face it, women who run the house will deny having any time to watch news let alone to comment on any political issue. She won’t have any interest in reading the newspaper or watching news, so obviously she won’t be aware of her rights. Even in a small situation where the price of a vegetable has increased alarmingly, she wouldn’t know she can question the vendor or anyone above. Why is no one questioning the rising service tax in hotels? Or the tax we are paying after Modi came into power? If they are, they are only the class of people bothered about reading the newspaper or those aware of the rights. Ignorance also, is a major drawback and the unwilling attitude to participate in the democracy of the country!!

In some cities, women are unaware that after 6pm the police cannot take them into custody, they can have women police constables assisting them and so on and so forth. Being unaware of right to free speech takes away the importance of the right. And also, not being able to exercise the right to the fullest is one of the drawbacks of this mighty right. Uneducated people need to be taught about the importance and flexibility of the law. As in, even men, in cases when they want to argue with their boss, or anyone who is in power, has to think a lot more about the consequences before he speaks. It lies true in the case of men and women, though in their own ways. Just spread awareness about the right, do your bit and hopefully the country should be better than yesterday!