When I finished writing my previous post, I realized that I had not posted anything in lieu of International Women's Day. That's practically blasphemy in my book. Last year I had written this post just after I had watched the BBC documentary 'India's Daughter' and my blood was boiling. Even the memory makes me grind my teeth. But I don't want this post to be about that. I do not want this post to be about the atrocities and injustice the fairer sex is faced with. I want this post to be as positive as possible.
As cliched as it might sound, I think most of us girls these day are pretty badass. Sure, most of us have not faced real adversity. But we have experienced people judging us just because we are women, however subtle it might be. Be it not being allowed to enter the prayer room or touching the pickle when menstruating or asking to go to a late night concert unescorted (I know that we live in unsafe times. But shouldn't measures be taken to remove the people who make these times uncertain and unsafe? Why should we be punished for not doing anything?), or even going out alone with a boy (WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY??). Translating a famous Bollywood song- People will talk. They have no other work. The only way to stop people from talking, is to stop judging others ourselves. We are the main culprits, the perpetrators. A girl walks in wearing a tight dress; it is on the tips of our tongues to say that she looks so vulgar and cheap. How is that kind of violent language acceptable? And yet, we cringe when someone says the same thing about us? Women can be their own worst enemies. And there is nothing more despicable than a woman who doesn't stand up for her own gender. However, despite all the judgement and criticism (from both genders), we have managed to do pretty well for ourselves, I think. We have a long way to go here in India. But there has been progress. We no longer shrink into a corner when intimidated. We no longer behave like doormats. More and more women are becoming financially independent. We now have the courage to use our voice. We are still afraid, but we know we are not alone. We are slowly realizing how powerful we truly are and we are fighting for what we want.It's an uphill battle, but we'll get there someday.