Change is slow, but constant, writes Priyanka Chaturvedi

The world has or, rather, two of the countries in the world have found the reasons behind the ever increasing terror threats and similarly increasing crime rate in their countries. Also, would you believe it if I said the reason for both is the same? Yes, it is a woman, more particularly, her choice of clothes. A woman who can choose her clothes based of her comfort levels certainly is a threat, as in, how dare she? So such women have been declared the new-age weapons of mass distraction and destruction by the powers that be. 

We women, whether we cover up or cover less are the reason for all the problems that afflict the world at large and our nation in particular. Haww, hey lady so you wear a burkini on the beach, you sure have something to hide, fess up your terror intent and pay the fine — this in France. Haww, hey lady wearing a short skirt, you are inviting rape, fess up your intent to distract our ‘well behaved’ men and cover up right this instant — this in India. 

The name of the countries might change, but the end result in the blame game almost always points to the woman. Thankfully, in France the courts intervened to reverse the ban and in India after sufficient outrage the tourism minister too backtracked from his statement. But what both these instances revealed was the deep set bias towards women, especially those who challenge the ‘societal norms’. 

Last week, in a TV debate that I was a part of, after the Mumbai High Court intervened to allow women entry to the inner sanctum of Haji Ali, it was amusing to see how religious heads of both Hindus and Muslims were united in their attack on this historic judgment. They accused women for being overly ambitious and wanting to take away rights of the men! Last I checked, ambition was not the sole domain of a particular gender and access to religious places was not the sole prerogative or right of that gender. 

It is amusing how, under the garb of keeping them safe and quoting scriptures, women are continuously denied their rights worldwide. In some countries, it is more pronounced than others but what doesn’t change is the underlying theme. It, however, is interesting to watch how women are getting more assertive than ever before and making a fight of it. They are not just challenging the status quo, but also breaking down barriers. Yes, we know our responsibilities and we handle them with aplomb — this strength we derive from the collective fight we have fought for years against the sexism, misogyny, patriarchal mindset.

What is most heartening is to see some men join in the cause for equal rights too and may I say more power to such men! Only when we teach our boys to not just respect our girls but also walk shoulder to shoulder with them will we be able to effectively see the doors open for us all equally. Change is happening; it may be slow, but is a constant.