If I were to go by what is seen and heard in the media these days then it would seem women would like to be men and till that is achieved, there can be no gender equality. Similar views can be heard across the globe, and more so in countries like India by self styled female radicals who seem to feel there is nothing right going on for females world over. I am really surprised and at times saddened by such one sided and ill thought out views. I think it is important to realise that a man and a woman were made equal by our lord or whoever made us. Both have an equal role in life and in the wellbeing of this world. Thus, there is no question of one being lesser than the other. However, their roles are different primarily because their physiology is different. Most important fact is that in their primary role, a man can never hope to do what a woman can do and vice versa. While only a man can father a child, only woman can give birth to a child. Somehow this fact is conveniently overlooked by most when we talk of gender equality.

It is true a woman suffers more violence, in some societies her freedom is suppressed, in some parts of the world she leads a slave's life, ratio of females to men working is in favour of men by a huge margin, world over women are by and large lesser educated, they own lesser property and so on. I do not think all these are debatable since these are facts and we all know these to be true. It is also true that a woman today, at least in most developed societies and some developing societies does have better education, can choose her path in life of either being a housewife or a professional and can choose to pursue her passions in life as per her will. It is also true that still a lot more needs to be done in this regard world over so that more and more women can exercise such options and give individual direction to their life as per their own choice. If this be so, it has nothing to do with gender equality - since it is more a matter of educating the masses (read men) better governance where equal opportunity is made available to each human being (read male and female). I have used the term HUMAN BEING since such opportunity is required not only for women but millions of men too who cannot lead a life of their choice due to various constraints.

The whole debate about gender equality seems to be centered on the fact - Why cannot women be like men? Well, unfortunately they cannot be just as a man cannot be like a woman. When Professor Higgins stated this, what he meant was - Why are women so difficult and complex as compared to men? He certainly did not want them to be men. Imagine a world with only men, there may be some amongst us who may want it that way, but then that is another debate in itself. This gender equality crusade has taken its toll in some parts of the world where neither the man nor the woman is ready to take responsibility for their primary functions. Thus, life is viewed as a FUN TRAIN - just have fun, but no responsibility. No wonder we see negative birth rates in some nations, series of live-in-relationships as opposed to a happy family life - is this that we want in the long run? No families, no children, all males and females working, earning money, having fun and carrying on? I am afraid that is not what this world was designed for.

Shared By S B Chadha,
MSN She Reader

Team MSN She