Sapna Sangra
As I sit down to organize my thoughts this International Women’s Day, I pay close attention to the theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ Since women constitute half of the world’s population, investing in them is a step towards more progressive and egalitarian societies. But the pertinent question is: Where exactly should we invest? Which domains of women’s lives should be prioritized? Shouldn’t there be a shift in the way we perceive women to begin with? How long will we continue to navigate around traditional mindsets and play the role of providers, instead of focusing on developing and enhancing their abilities to make a positive change in their own lives-shifting the focus from ‘development for women’ to ‘women-led development’?
Various parameters of human resource development, such as health, education, political, and economic fronts, exhibit glaring inequalities between men and women not just closer to home but across societies. Cultural practices rooted in patriarchal setups have relegated women to the corner, undermining the contributions they have been making in the socio-economic spheres. This narrow understanding has propagated over the years, undermining their capabilities and making them vulnerable and easy prey. It’s time we address this by establishing a policy framework that places women at the center stage.
As an educationist, I firmly believe that investing in women’s education should be an all-out priority. I am reminded of Savitribai Phule, who pioneered women’s education in pre-Independent India and is remembered as the first woman teacher. She was a Dalit woman from the Mali community who got married at the tender age of 9 and faced many challenges but remained undeterred in her resolve, standing up against patriarchy and caste ostracism. While Phule’s exemplary life continues to guide us, shaping our vision and giving us direction, her life is also a celebration of women’s agency. Women’s agency is certainly not limited by the lack of formal education, but formal education does play a catalyst in creating conditions where women can play a more significant role. Therefore, issues that prevent women from getting educated or completing their education should be addressed as a priority. Poverty, geographical isolation, minority status, early marriage and pregnancy, gender-based violence, lack of toilets, lack of transport, and traditional attitudes towards the status and role of women are some of the issues that still hinder women’s holistic development.
We have evidence suggesting that many women work hard, but their meager earnings are taken away by the family. So, earning a living is one aspect of the story, and women’s ability to utilize their earnings and control the same is the other. To be able to control one’s earnings is true financial independence, and it is empowering. The chances of a well-read woman surrendering her earnings are way too less compared to those who have had no formal education. Although one may come across incidents where women, even though earning more than men, would still say, “Barkat To Pati Ki Kamai Mein Hi Hoti Hai (prosperity lies only in the earning of a husband).” Continuing with this kind of understanding depicts the internalization of gendered inequalities, which will take some time to dissolve. It’s imperative women first realize that their contribution is crucial to the economy of the family and that of society. This will not only infuse in them the much-needed confidence and help them realize their potential, but it will also lead to a paradigm shift in how we have been viewing them in the larger spectrum. This understanding is crucial for their self-beliefs.
Looking at the political scenario, especially at the grassroots, we have had incidents where women panchayat representatives have acted as dummies, allowing their male counterparts to exercise authority on their behalf, although things cannot entirely be generalized. Even if there are incidents like this, their occurrence in the times to come is going to decrease. From being taken as a rubber stamp to slowly exhibiting her agency in myriad ways, it’s been a trail of steady and consistent progress. To me, this gives hope for better and more inclusive societies where women’s contributions are acknowledged, and they are given their due share and space. Progress, though steady and consistent, needs to be accelerated, and what better way than prioritizing education as a key component. For me, prioritizing education not only precedes political and financial inclusion but also addresses other domains of inequality. With women increasingly asserting agency despite historical marginalization, investing in their education would lay the groundwork for a future where equality and inclusivity thrive. As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let us recommit to investing in women, accelerating progress towards a more just and equitable world.
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