Thirty-six-years-old Roshni Mathan Pereira has been campaigning for the rights of women and girl children for a long time now. But she is equally at ease fighting for men, who she believes have been wrongly painted red by society. Associated with the newly-formed ‘All India Men’s Welfare Association’ in Bangalore, she argues for a separate ministry for men’s welfare, to bring equality in society and to strengthen the family. On the International Men’s Day (IMD), Roshni spoke to PK Surendran on how society has stereotyped not only women but also men.
What is IMD? When did it begin?
IMD began at Trinidad in 1999. The UN ratified it later. It’s an occasion for men to get in touch with their emotions and to think of their duty towards family, society, country and the world. Since ages, men risked their lives to protect and provide for the family. On International Men’s Day, the contributions of all men — sons, brothers, fathers, friends and husbands — are acknowledged. Greeting cards for men’s day are also on their way.
What are the woes men face?
India is a secular democracy and everybody should stand equal before law. But the laws of the land have been heavily tilted against men and favour women in the marital sphere. For instance, even when a man declines dowry, the girl often comes with a baggage of wealth. But if anything goes wrong, he gets the legal boot. Men who formed this platform want to work for equal rights where women will not only share all privileges with men but will also share responsibilities. I’m a warrior for women’s rights but I strongly believe that a good number of men are suffering many ignominies for no fault of theirs.
Do you think the demand for a separate ministry for men would help their cause?
The National Commission for Women and Health and Family Welfare both deal with issues confronting women. Forget a ministry, there is no platform for men. The new association will provide them with a platform to make people aware that men are not always aggressors who ill-treat women. They often share responsibility for the entire family. They ought to get equal justice at the hands of the society, judiciary and media. This is an argument for gender parity, not dominance.
Do you feel reversal of role, albeit on limited scale, would help further?
Sure, it will. A man helping a woman in her chores and a woman making her contribution in providing for the home will be the ideal situation where neither will feel neglected. The ossified traditional view of a man being the aggressor and a woman the sufferer ought to go. Let the IMD be an occasion for introspection.
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