When I write about women’s issues or initiatives for women, there is an underlying assumption and that keeps me going. It’s a belief that someone somewhere is reading it and would take things into his/her hands. For example – someone would say NO to domestic violence and walk out, someone would think of his wife as an equal partner at home, or someone would let her marry the person she wants to. So on and so forth.
However sometimes when I write, there is just a voice in my head that tells me to talk it out and spread the word.
Sometimes, I wonder why were women even made when they had to suffer so much?
Why is the world so full of hypocrisy and bias?
Why religion, culture and country combined together are killing the rights of so many women?
Why do women have to even talk about their rights?
Why isn’t it normal that women all over the world have the right to live the way they want?
Nothing that I say on this blog is out of my imagination. I am sure those who read on a regular basis know that I provide links to news articles and Wikipedia. Everything is out there and yet in 21st century, we are fighting battles way behind our league and not limited to:
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Breast Ironing
- Right to pray
- Right to abortion
- Right to dress the way women want
- Right to marry per choice
We live in a world where a woman is treated with 100 lashes for wearing skin-tight jeans, where developed countries allow a woman to die but not let her abort a foetus, where being topless is bigger crime than a rape, where breasts are ironed so that rape could be avoided, where genitals are mutilated so that sexual desire can be nipped in the bud, where women are not allowed to enter temples, where killing for family’s honor is not a crime, where a son carries the family’s lineage but the woman who gave birth to this son is killed.
In whose hands are our rights?
Can we women and you supportive men do something about our rights?
Probably not.
But there is one thing that you can do.
Speak up without fear and fight for what’s yours. Whether it’s your body or your salary, your faith or your belief – do not succumb to any pressure. None from society, loved ones or anyone else. If not anything, you own your life and your body. It’s no one’s choice or business but yours.
I am blogging from A to Z during April and the theme I have chosen is set on women. I am also a minion on co-host Pam’s Unconventional Alliance along with Claire, Shalini and Rajlakshmi. Visit us, show us some love and don’t leave without sharing your thoughts.
happiness and food 
Rights! We need to be aware of them and we must fight for them. Sadly. Specially as women.
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Women’s rights are human rights. And it is so tragic that we have to fight for the basic rights. How a woman should lead her life is dictated by men… why should that happen? Despite advancements in every field, we have gone back to the dark ages when it comes to women and their rights!
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EXCELLENT PIECE OF ASSERTIVE WRITING
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It really is scary, all the incidences that happen which cannot be prevented because women don’t have adequate rights to protect themselves!
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Your words do make a difference, keep writing. Somewhere someone is getting inspiration to be courageous, words have power and yours are extremely powerful.
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I would say why women and men should have separate rights. Shouldn’t they be same? As it is, being a woman is not a choice we made. Then why should we women need to fight for our rights. Atleast in such cases, I wish we follow US.
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Well said Parul
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I remember when I first read about genital mutilation is young girls I couldn’t sleep for days. There was this haunting feeling always nagging in my mind that somewhere someone actually went through that ordeal. That people can be so barbaric. Breast Ironing I remember reading wad done by mothers to protect their daughters from sexual predator. It’s a sorry state. So much physical harm to women … why … just because they are of the opposite sex.
Very powerful writing Parul.
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Just the sound or simply reading the terms give us goosebumps, I wonder what kind of mental and physical trauma women face in the world who actually experience it. It’s disgusting for people who carry out such barbaric acts and it’s a shame that women themselves are the ones who initiate them.
You sure are making a lot of difference Parul! Love you!
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That was nothing short of a battle-cry lady! And it is time women world over unite to fight for what is rightfully theirs! A Sanskrit saying goes well with what you say Yatra Nariyastu pujayante, ramanethe tatra devatah! Meaning the land where the woman is revered is the land where Gods abide.
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
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You know I’ve always said that when you are asking for rights, whom are you addressing it to? There always needs to be someone or something to which you need to address. And most importantly to ourselves.
Honestly, some of the women I know themselves do not think that deserve to have the right for something. Now, what do you do with such people?
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very good , Parul .Thought provoking .
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True that! Well said!
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Very powerful writing, Parul! As you spoke, I could feel the rage, the frustration, the helplessness at times when these barbaric acts are going unnoticed, rise in me too!
Every word we put out there makes a difference. Keep writing!
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Thank you Aditi. It hurts to hear about so much violence and writing seems to be liberating.
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