8 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

 1. With dignity and respect

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 09)

Analysis of the news:

A World Built Around Men

• International Women’s Day is often marked by celebrations, promises, and emotional appeals for gender equality.
• However, the lack of an International Men’s Day highlights an underlying truth: historically, societies have been structured around men, making women silent participants.
• Institutions were created to protect women rather than empower them, based on the flawed assumption that physical strength determines real power.
• This mindset ignored the potential of women to exhibit the same strength when given equal opportunities.

Women in Military and Leadership Roles

• History has repeatedly demonstrated that women can be as formidable as men in warfare and leadership.
• Despite male-dominated military structures, there have been numerous female warriors and rulers.
• Examples like Golda Meir during the Yom Kippur War and Indira Gandhi during the Bangladesh Liberation War show that leadership is not gender-dependent.
• Similarly, historical figures such as Joan of Arc, Rani Lakshmi Bai, and Velu Nachiyar led armies and defended their territories.
• These instances challenge the stereotype that power and strength are inherently male attributes.

The Strength of Creation and Motherhood

• Beyond physical strength, a woman’s true power lies in her role as a creator.
• The ability to bear children and endure the immense struggle of childbirth is a testament to resilience beyond men’s comprehension.
• Philosophers like Khalil Gibran have recognized this divine role, emphasizing that women carry the responsibility of life’s continuity.
• Traditional Indian societies honored this concept by equating women with motherhood, seeing them as creators, nurturers, and sources of wisdom.

Impact of Victorian Morality on Women’s Status

• Colonial influence, particularly Victorian morality, led to the confinement of women within rigid social structures.
• Women were viewed as property, denied rights, and reduced to reproductive roles.
• This mindset persisted in India, contributing to regressive practices like female foeticide.
• The notion that women’s independence equated to immorality further restricted their freedoms.
• Overcoming these colonial hangovers remains a challenge in achieving true gender equality.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Vision for Women’s Empowerment

• Mahatma Gandhi was among the key figures to reject the patriarchal mindset.
• He urged women to break free from societal subjugation and recognized their dignity and privilege.
• He acknowledged his own past biases and credited his wife, Kasturba, for enlightening him.
• Gandhi’s emphasis on women’s rights, including the right to live independently from unjust husbands, laid the foundation for modern feminist thought in India.

Towards Gender Neutrality and Mutual Respect

• True gender equality requires a shift from a male-centric approach to a balanced perspective that values both men and women equally.
• Women should not be reduced to objects of societal control or stereotypes of fragility.
• The path to women’s safety lies not in restriction but in dignity and respect.
• As Swami Vivekananda aptly said, women are embodiments of power—Durga, Kali, and Mahishasura Mardini.
• Instead of seeking to protect women, society must learn to respect them, ensuring that safety and empowerment follow naturally.

Conclusion

• True gender equality goes beyond symbolic celebrations and requires a fundamental shift in societal structures, perceptions, and institutional frameworks.
• Recognizing women’s inherent strength, leadership, and contributions—rather than viewing them through a lens of protection or limitation—is key to creating a balanced and inclusive world.
• Respect, dignity, and equal opportunities must replace outdated stereotypes to ensure genuine empowerment.

Check out 7 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis