I’m just a Woman

A foreign colleague said “I went to a restaurant in India. The menu card was given to my husband and the waiter was just asking my husband what we wanted. I felt strange”. This made me think. Has it happened to many of us? Yes – I’m just a woman.

Beauty is personified by a Woman. Why not courage, will power, self respect, motivation? Women are called for reception, presenting gifts to chief guest in school, colleges and even corporates. It all starts there. The concept of putting her down “I’m just a woman”. The tuning of the mind that Women are only for beauty and not for will power starts in school. 

Working as a fresher was not much of a challenge as we are directed and guided. When it comes to dance, songs, rangoli and cooking – Women are called. Why not for more challenges in work? So even in the corporate world – I’m just a woman.

Marriage – An important phase in one’s life. Yes, some women quit their jobs. “A lady is just for maintaining the family. I don’t want my wife/daughter in law to work” – My career dreams are shattered – I’m just a woman.

At home, invitations are passed on to the so-called head of the families – husbands. It is often said that the wives do not need a separate invitation or a call. Quite ridiculous too. Yes, I’m just a woman.

Motherhood – The joyous time in life. Most women are forced to quit their jobs during this phase of life. My hope of career is lost – I’m just a woman.

But if I manage to balance all this and continue my career – growing up the ladder in professional life – others try to pull me down. Just talk about her and she will be broken down. They feel it’s easy because I’m just a woman. 48% of working women quit their jobs between junior and mid levels.

“Why do I have to report to her? Why do I have to work with her? Why do I have to listen to what she is saying? Why do I have to involve her in decision making? How daring that she speak out? – She is just a woman”. – Thoughts from even the educated folks.

People know where to hit because they know women can be broken down easily. Bitter truth is women are pulled down by other women too – personally and professionally. Yes I get emotional – I’m just a woman.

Beyond that there is a fire within me. I can talk for myself, I can fight the insults, I can take the challenge and I can continue battling  – I’m “first” a human and not “just” a woman.

Unlike some of the other countries, women aren’t suppressed completely here. But definitely there is a dominance and line drawn between the gender for sure. If not why do women occupy only 5% of the senior leadership roles in the corporate world in India compared to the global average of 20%?

Celebrating Women’s day or Women’s month is not required. Treat women as humans and not dolls. Women have aspiration too. Women have equal passion in work too. Unless this is understood, celebrating women is just a mere waste.