Azaad Bharat Azaad Nari: Leading Voices Gather To Discuss Women's Empowerment, Rights And Struggles

As our 77th Independence Day comes closer, as part of our ‘Azaad Bharat Azaad Nari’ campaign, HerZindagi took the initiative to amplify the voices of women that have been suppressed for too long. We aimed to shed light on their feelings and struggles. The responses were overwhelming, with numerous replies questioning whether women are genuinely experiencing independence in post-independence India.

As part of this campaign, Herzindagi organised a panel discussion, where esteemed women experts joined as our guests: Preeti Pandey, a social activist and the founder of the Dulari Devi Foundation; Subuhi Khan, an activist, and lawyer; and Mishika Singh, the founder of Neev Foundation. At the forefront of this discussion was Megha Mamgain, head of Health & Lifestyle divisions at Jagran New Media.In this panel discussion, these four remarkable individuals delve into a fundamental question that resonates throughout Indian society: Are women truly enjoying freedom? They delve deep into the multifaceted dimensions of women's empowerment, rights, and the challenges that persist in today's world. Through their perspectives, we gain fresh insights and valuable wisdom from these influential women who are actively propelling change in their respective domains.

Discussion On Seeing Women As Second Class Citizen

During the discussion, a question was directed to Preeti Pandey, addressing a prevalent issue in our society. It was pointed out that when a girl is born, she is often not celebrated, and her arrival is viewed as that of a second-class citizen. In response, Preeti remarked, "Upon the birth of a girl, families frequently contemplate having a third or fourth child in the hopes of having a boy, as they perceive a male child as completing their family unit. It's often believed that only less-educated families follow this practice, but even educated households are adopting this mindset." Interestingly, in families where the first child is a boy, there is usually no emphasis on ‘completing’ the family.

When Subuhi Khan was questioned about the persistent lack of safety felt by many girls and women in spite of India's numerous laws aimed at their protection, as well as whether women truly experience the same level of freedom as men in society, her response was insightful. She began by commending Herzindagi for launching the campaign and then delved into the issue, stating, "A pervasive issue lies in the fact that girls face threats even before their birth and, if they are born, they often encounter limitations on education and employment opportunities. Whether educated or not, almost every woman experiences domestic violence. While women possess mental and psychological freedom, they are often trapped by psychological constraints that hinder them from addressing their struggles effectively."

Women Are Called ‘Devi’ Yet Our Sex Ratio Is Skewed

When Mishika was questioned about the apparent contradiction in our society, where women are referred to as 'devi' (goddess) yet the sex ratio remains skewed, and certain regions manipulate their sex ratio data, the discussion unveiled a pertinent issue. In response, Mishika offered a thought-provoking perspective, stating, "This paradox is reflective of a critical flaw in our society. While we label women as 'devi,' we often fall short of truly respecting them. Moreover, even in affluent families, various forms of abuse against women persist. This is partly due to the conditioning that a woman alone can uplift a family. Therefore, when a woman becomes a victim of domestic abuse or mistreatment, she might internalise it as a personal failure." The societal expectations placed on women sometimes lead them to perceive themselves as unsuccessful.

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Medha Patkar also highlighted the paradox where women are often referred to as 'devi' while still being treated unequally. She acknowledged that while some men perceive themselves as dominant, there are also those who support and assist women, deserving of recognition and admiration.

Ranjana Kumari On Freedom For Women In Post Independence India

When Ranjana Kumari was posed with a similar question, her response encapsulated a profound understanding. She shared, "Freedom signifies liberation from all forms of constraints. However, the most formidable restrictions for women in our society stem from societal barriers. Our mindset is the crux of the problem. Although our laws emphasise gender equality, the prevalent notions within families and societies often lead us to believe that while boys are deserving of comprehensive education and opportunities, girls' potential is limited by considerations of marriage after investing in their education."

Challenges Women Face While Reporting A Case

Examining the NCRB 2021 statistics, it's revealed that domestic violence accounted for 31.8% of crimes, followed by sexual violence at 20.8%, rape cases at 7.4%, and kidnapping incidents at 17.6%. It's important to note that these figures solely represent reported cases, suggesting that the actual numbers could potentially be higher.

Subuhi shed light on the challenges women encounter when attempting to file cases, emphasising that many women hesitate to do so and instead question themselves. Self-doubt arises, with thoughts like "If I hadn't worn this dress" or "If I hadn't been out late," leading to self-blame. Subuhi stressed the need for heightened awareness across various domains to combat this issue.

Mishika elaborated on the scenario in courts, noting that when women's cases reach the legal system, they often feel powerless. She pointed out that if a woman doesn't appear helpless in court, her behaviour might be interpreted as not fitting the image of a victim, possibly negating her trauma. This problem arises due to an inadequate understanding of laws among the populace.

Meanwhile, Swati Maliwal highlighted the continued lack of freedom for women, even after 76 years of independence. She stressed the necessity for prompt and certain punishments. She expressed the importance of imposing strict penalties on oppressors, as the current laxity in the legal system fails to instill fear. Swati attributed this issue to familial dynamics, where girls are often considered inferior to boys. She emphasised the urgency of empowering women to address these challenges effectively.

Unequal Employment Landscape For Women

Subuhi further contributed to the discussion by highlighting a concerning issue within the Muslim community. She pointed out that in some cases, the age of marriage for Muslim women aligns with their age of puberty. Disturbingly, girls as young as under 12 years old are being married off, as they are deemed suitable for marriage. This practice could potentially explain the higher dropout rates among girls in schools.

Discussing the persisting gender pay gap, Mishika pointed out that safety and security concerns play a substantial role. Although Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) initiatives have been implemented in workplaces, they are sometimes viewed merely as accomplishments. Mishika advocated for viewing these initiatives through the lens of legal obligations and their impact on societal perceptions.

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