Fair Sex is not Fair

 The euphemism uses this adage to denote women as some one who is petite , lovable , needs to be handled with caress or simply said , a softer version of Gods creation . Though it is absolutely fine to extend respect and courtesy but it is dogmatic to  have this mindset exclusively for women.

In the last 11 years I have had a great experience of having come across over more than 50,000 women and girls who I had the pleasure of intervening with in the domain of empowerment and self defence. Believe you me , I found most of them very high both on mental and physical robustness with utter disregard to the heresy that haunts them. Whether it was the posh training hall of a big 4 corporate or an open ground in sweltering heat where scores of rural girls were rearing to learn to be able to stand up in the face of an adversary, the 'josh' was nowhere lacking. Not only the enthusiasm , they have always displayed higher conviction towards learning and bestowed highest level of respect to this 'life skill'.

During my half or full days interaction , I can not possibly empower them but that belief that 'I can do it' which emanates within them is unfathomable and so satiating. Our interventions are possibly the launching pads of a 'thought revolution' that 'we are no less.'

I hear a lot of influential big mouths calling them "hamari behan betiyan' which I find patriarchal . They have an identity of their own and we need to believe in it. Our women and girls do not need roses and vows of protection over rakhi  or tying of mangalsutra . All they need is a pat on their back and right environment for them to grow at par with their male counterparts, rest they will achieve on their own.

Our women and girls have proved their mettle be it in academics, sports , military or more and there is much more that they are capable of. What they need from us is not compassion or mercy but appreciation and support.

"Hamari chhoriyan , chhoro sey kam hain kay" , sums it up very well!!