Discrimination begins the moment a female fetus is conceived in the womb. As a girl grows, she faces the threat of predators. When she becomes a mother, she is blamed for not bearing a male child. She faces ten questions just to visit her parents’ home and needs a hundred permissions to buy something she likes. Trapped within the restrictions imposed by husbands, the hopes, ambitions, and aspirations of women are evaporating. This is the portrait of the average woman today. While this may not be the case for everyone, for many, it is the absolute truth.
Women face discrimination at every step. Their struggles do not end there. Even when they achieve financial independence, the authority to spend that money remains a prisoner of male oversight. Women are being elected to political positions, yet the actual power is often wielded by the men in their families. This is a prominent misfortune in today’s society. On the other hand, there are daughters-in-law who do not treat their mothers-in-law with respect, and mothers-in-law who do not embrace their daughters-in-law as their own. It is noteworthy that both are women. The intent here is not to blame anyone, but to give a voice to the pain and realities experienced by women in our society. Even in unnecessary commercial advertisements, women are portrayed as mere objects. From a six-year-old child to a sixty-year-old elderly woman, many tremble under the predatory gaze of monsters. As the poet Sri Sri said, “In any news we hear, what is there to be proud of?” Every day, somewhere in the country, a woman falls victim to lust. This is not just a modern problem; it is an unceasing agony that women have endured since time immemorial.
Is it Only for This One Day?
The harsh truth is that society speaks grandly about women only on International Women’s Day. From the very next day, it is business as usual. This is a day to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. However, true empowerment is only possible when women excel in all fields. They must grow politically, educationally, economically, socially, and physically. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, said, “Political power is the key to all social progress.” Empowerment means not depending on the mercy of others. It means living independently without waiting for anyone’s permission, dealing with everyone on an equal footing, and being able to make one’s own decisions. It means building a free environment without barriers. Feminism is not just a woman’s issue; it requires the cooperation of men as well. This struggle for equality belongs to no single person—it is the collective responsibility of everyone who respects human rights. Women’s empowerment is not just social justice; it is essential for the nation’s economic progress. Every woman’s success should inspire another. The female world becomes stronger only when they encourage one another.
Health is Essential!
For women, health is the real wealth. Gold and silver are not true riches; a woman’s health is her greatest capital. To achieve anything in life, robust health is mandatory. While human life expectancy has increased over the last two centuries, women suffer from 25% more health issues during their lifetime compared to men. In the process of achieving empowerment, many challenges arise. Numerous obstacles hinder the balancing of education, career, and personal life. The shackles preventing them from showcasing their full potential must be broken. Only when women are economically stable will they attain rights and gender equality. Better education must be provided to women and girls. This contributes to their economic empowerment and environmentally sustainable economic growth.
Still at 151st Rank?
Research by the ‘Inter-Parliamentary Union’ on women’s representation in world parliaments is shocking. In terms of women’s participation in the Lower House, India ranks 151st out of 185 countries. Women make up half of our population, yet their representation is only 14.6% in the Lok Sabha and 11.6% in the Rajya Sabha. The national average of women in state legislative assemblies is only 9%, and no state has more than 20% women MLAs. In the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, our country ranked 131st out of 148 countries, dropping from 129th in 2024. The primary reason is the decline in political empowerment, especially the decrease in women’s representation in Parliament. If conditions continue like this, about 34.2 crore women may fall into extreme poverty by 2030.
Many Challenges! Many More Problems:
Gender equality is not just a “woman’s problem.” It is a fundamental human rights issue. Even in today’s digital age, severe inequalities persist. Globally, only 37% of women use the internet—a clear digital divide. In the modern era, women’s safety is challenged not just by physical attacks but also by digital ones. ‘Deepfakes’ created with the help of Artificial Intelligence, online harassment, and cyber-bullying are robbing women of their fundamental freedom. On the other hand, inequality in education and bias in the workplace are rampant. In India, 43% of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are women, but only 14% of them are employed in those fields—a reflection of our patriarchal system. Child marriages, dowry harassment, and domestic violence continue to claim lives. Our discriminatory social norms stand as walls blocking women’s progress.
The Solutions:
Economic stability for women is the singular solution to many of these problems. Although the female labor force participation has recently risen to 37% according to government figures, most are languishing in the unorganized sector. Women’s labor is limited to jobs with no recognition and no minimum wage. This situation must change. Women must be connected to economic resources. This will allow them to meet their basic needs, start new businesses, and grow. Closing the gender gap in employment could increase the global GDP by as much as 20%. Furthermore, the situation in our legislatures must change. The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ (Women’s Reservation Bill) passed by Parliament in 2023 after decades of waiting is a historic milestone. It provides 33% reservation for women in legislatures. However, postponing its implementation in the name of the census and delimitation is disappointing. It must be implemented immediately. As the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, dreamed—true independence is achieved only when a woman can walk freely and fearlessly on the road at midnight. For that auspicious day to arrive, everyone in society must take a stand.
