“There is nothing that can destroy a woman and her power.”

Women empowerment is explained as accepting women’s thoughts and helping them to take a stand for themselves. This has become a topic of concern in today’s society. But do we care about empowering women? The answer is probably no. We, as a part of our society, give many speeches on this. Do we indeed mean what we say? Do we follow the same with the women around us? Again, the answer will be no. Indian society is likely to appreciate empowerment when it is about others. When it comes to our own family, we start to think about society. The REAL empowerment starts when there is nothing to think about a woman taking a stand for herself. 

Women empowerment should be focused on encouraging women to fight for their rights. Whatever a woman does should be done because it is her right and not because she is allowed to do it. No one has to let her do something that she wants. A woman can do whatever she wants without seeking any permission. A man does not ask for a woman’s permission to do something. Then why should a woman get her father’s or husband’s permission? Let me cite an example. We all have men in our family. Have we seen our father or brother asking for permission to do a job? No. But we would have seen our mother or sister seeking permission to take up her job or studies and also would have come across many ‘NO’s. 

What is the need for somebody to allow us to do something when we have the right? First, women should understand this point. She must not get impressed by someone’s sympathy. From the ages, a women’s mindset is fixed that her work is to take care of the family, engage in daily chores and take care of children. We convince ourselves to do all these right from the beginning which should not be done. No woman should compromise their career, dreams in the name of family. The traditional mindset should be withdrawn from women’s minds first. She should believe that she can achieve things beyond family. She has her own identity and being one’s daughter or wife is not her true identity. We can expect the change from others, especially, men only if we become the change. 

Women empowerment doesn’t mean that women should be given higher priority. Empowerment should work towards an equal status both for men and women. If a noble thing or achievement is done by a woman, we see it in the headlines of newspapers or magazines mentioning them as woman officer, woman pilot, female poet, or female artist. But we don’t identify any male artist, male poet, man officer, or man pilot. This describes how equal society is. Equality in society will be established when there is no particular mention given to either man or woman.

In addition, we must acknowledge that society is changing practically towards equality. We have started addressing the chairman as chairperson, man-made as artificial, and mankind as humanity. A six-year-old girl raising questions on the terms coined in the patriarchal society stands as proof that this is not going to last anymore. Her questions went viral and she was answered by some of the achievers. They explain to her about our old patriarchal society and the influence of patriarchy in language as well. The world needs to change and it is changing. We must agree that this little kid has already reached halfway to create an equal society.

Designation or Profession shouldn’t be linked with genders. It should be generic. Our work towards this would be supporting and standing for all those who are ready to take a stand for themselves. “Equality is the soul of liberty” should not be ignored at any cost.