Women ,empowered by everything a women does.
Women once empowered primarily via the assertion of reproductive rights or workplace equality with men are now empowered by virtually everything the typical woman does. 15 years ago, a woman could only feel empowered by advancing in a male-dominated work world, asserting her own sexual wants and needs, or pushing for a stronger voice in politics. Today, a woman can empower herself through actions as seemingly inconsequential as driving her children to school or watching the saas- bahu instead of cooking for her in laws.
Ritu Beri,one of the leading indian fashion designers, remarked during the last Lakme Inidia Fashion Week that clothes-shopping, once considered a mundane act based on need , is now a bold statement, as shoes , clothes and jewellary have become a compelling way for a woman to announce that she is strong and independent, and can suceed without the help of a man. From travel , working conditions , cell phones to energy bars all are specially fortified with nutrients “for women” making it a feminist world .Proto-feminist pioneers like Elizabeth Stanton and Susan Anthony could never have imagined that female empowerment would one day come in bar form.”
Whereas early feminists campaigned tirelessly for improved health care and safe, legal access to abortion, often against a backdrop of public indifference or hostility, today’s feminist asserts control over her biological destiny by wearing a baby-doll T-shirt with the word “Hoochie” spelled in glitter. Other acts of empowerment include gossiping about the sexual proclivities of male acquaintances, lunching with other women in small groups, taking calcium-rich antacid tablets, and reading The Cosmopoiltan. The last decade has seen women proclaiming themselves ‘large and in charge’ and refusing to be bound by traditional notions of beauty and health.
Not every woman can become a doctor or campaign to bring about a huge social change. But These incredible identities end up marginalizing the majority of women who are unable to, or just don’t particularly care to, achieve such things. Fortunately present day feminism championes these mundane activities as proud, bold assertions of the female identity in the sphere of oppressive patriarchal hegemony which has ruled for ages.
A movie like Chak De India may make us feel that It is great to be a female sports person or actress . But we must not overlook the homemaker, the college student who chooses to abstain from sex, and the college co-ed who chooses to have a lot of sex. Every every single thing a woman does, no matter how ordinary defines female identity and empowers her.
Tags: empowerment, India, modern women, women
