Pushing Through Patriarchy

In the age of artificial intelligence and active attempts to colonize Mars, realizing that we still exist in a patriarchal society is more disorienting than seeing a super fit athlete frequently eating a diet of unhealthy food. Yet, the larger society continues to advance towards the next big thing with a leash on.

Patriarchy as a concept looks like a conveniently twisted ploy under the garb of nature’s law. Why else would the prehistoric practice or idea of men being hunters or food gatherers and women being nurturers or child-bearers in an uncivilized society mean that men are superior to women even in the 21^st century? This should rather be looked upon as a fine management of two complimenting resources in today’s leadership-driven world.

Today, especially in the Indian society, the participation of women in workforce has increased manifold. Kudos! Women are independent and, more importantly, women have started to find a voice that hold its own through many a storm. Yet, this alone is not enough to fight the patriarchal mindset.

One must remember that the larger goal is the acceptance of and respect towards everything that womanhood stands for. Whether a woman is a fully devoted mother or a top-ranking leader of a country, she must be regarded on equal grounds solely because she is as much a member of our society as anyone else.

For starters, patriarchy must first be tackled at a mental level before its physical manifestation. And we need both men and women to contribute collectively to see a change. After all, like Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi says, “Women are not just victims of this patriarchal society, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother’s home.”