Male dominance is curbing women’s natural freedom
Many societies still treat the fairer sex as intellectually deficient
Mushtaq Hurra
Man has been created as a deputy of (Allah SWT), descended on the earth to profess and propagate the commandments of his Creator, and to live in harmony with the Mother Nature and rest of the species.
For the harmonious and smooth functioning of life on the planet earth, Allah (SWT) bestowed man with the most beautiful blessing called Woman. Woman has been created from his ribs to solace him as a partner, mother, sister, friend and daughter. And she has performed all the roles with perfection.
But, man has enslaved her for centuries together against her natural freedom. Many societies treat her intellectually deficient and poor. But, this is not true. She is intellectually as vibrant as man. During the last two decades, our daughters have begun to outshine boys in the different examinations. From secondary to senior secondary examinations, girls are bagging top positions in the elite competitive exams of the country. Our women have proven their potential in IAS, IPS and NEET like examinations
Women across the globe have exhibited their mettle in different fields of life. From Nobel laureate, Marie Curie to astronaut- Sunita Williams, we have daughters who have brought laurels to the humanity.
Contributions of women in science, literature, politics, economy, sports and home-making is notable and praiseworthy. But, we still have many male dominant societies across the globe where woman is decimated to a mere toy. No doubt, different constitutions, laws and religious scriptures entitle women to certain rights and privileges but man has virtually snatched her rights and freedoms. She has been caged, gagged and chocked by man.
Her plight dates back to the times when men began to distance her from education. Her backwardness and misery is largely due to her educational backwardness. And interestingly, women education is the education of nations.
The nations which have prioritized women education, have emerged as the masters of the world. Educated women can ensure responsible, logical, healthy and honest citizens because mother is the first teacher of a child and her lap is the first school for a child. The foundations of strong personality are laid in the lap of a mother.
So, how can a nation dare to play with the girl childs education. A nation can’t dream to attain sovereignty unless and until it prioritizes the education of its women.
World has already taken big strides in the field of women empowerment and education. Subcontinent is yet to come parallel to Europe and America when it comes to the education and empowerment of women.
The scenario of women’s education and empowerment is not encouraging enough in India, Pakistan, Bengladesh like countries. And our erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir is not portraying an appreciable picture though last one or two decades belong to our daughters but we are still far behind the rest of the world and the country.
According to the census of 2011, the female literacy rate of Jammu and Kashmir was almost 58 % against 66% at the national level. Though these figures are not very discouraging but our rural belt is far behind here.
Our daughters in villages are not treated at par with boys. No doubt, in the recent past, the girl enrollment in our schools in rural areas has increased but a very meager number of girls are given an opportunity to attend college and university education.
The number of girl dropouts is exceedingly higher than that of boys. Why is it so? Parents are probably either biased or unaware about the value of girl education. Government should ensure certain incentives and privileges for girl students going for college and education.
There should be special scholarships to motivate more and more girl students to go for higher education. Imaams of our Masjids should deliver sermons about the value of women’s education. Let the holy pulpits be used to free Binte-Hawa from the clutches of male dominance. Teachers and academicians have a greater role to play here. They should sensitise masses about the importance of women education.
The discrimination against women is the burning issue of contemporary times. We are yet to eliminate the 100% discrimination against our daughters. In many homes of our land, the birth of a son is celebrated enthusiastically but the birth of a daughter is not, education of a boy is considered vital while as a daughter’s education is considered a liability.
Boys are treated as heirs and daughters are considered the assets of other homes. Women are confined to certain domestic chores like cooking, cleaning, sweeping etc… Women of rural belt are forced to work in agricultural fields and farms. I don’t mean that women should not work there but it must be in limits. If it is absolutely left for women to do, then it is undoubtedly discrimination. Sometimes, an ailing daughter-in-law should be allowed to take rest from kitchen chores. They should not be subject to harsher jobs.
I won’t disagree with the fact that women are supposed to be the best homemakers but we have plenty of examples where woman is not considered more than a domestic servant. She is put to severe hardships at home particularly in rural India. She is considered to be a machine to produce children.
Another grave issue is the growing crime rate against women in our country. The crime incidence against women has increased during the last five or six years. Sexual harassment, molestation bids, domestic violence are some causes of concern for all of us.
During the recent past, we have witnessed a rise in the crime incidents against women in our India. Though there are laws and regulations but we are somewhere biased. The law enforcing mechanism is probably biased as it is male dominant.
I don’t understand what prevents Nirbhaya convicts from capital punishment? Though judiciary has sentenced capital punishment against the culprits but their hanging is time and again deferred. Unless and until, we deal with such culprits with iron fists, the rate of crime against women will not decrease. Government institutions of power and prestige must set examples.
Let us promise to give wings to our daughters so that they can fly higher and higher. The world is a virtual hell without our daughters. Our beloved prophet Muhammad Salallahu-Aliahiwasalam has guaranteed a place next to Him in paradise for a man if he educated and marries off two daughters. And who was the most beloved person of our Prophet Salallahu-Aliahiwasalam, it was His daughter, Fatima Aliahi-Salaam. May Allah shower his choicest blessings upon our daughters , may Fatima Aliahi-Salaam be their true inspiration and role model.
(The Writer is a Teacher and a Columnist. He can be reached at [email protected])
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