Feminism – I find this word and the statement related to this utterly pathetic. The entire discourse sounds like one is begging for some mercy. In fact being a girl I totally reject the concept of feminism. Sometimes, I ask myself: Why most of the people of the world are trying to defend the rights of women by offering them with special treatments? If women are equal in each and every aspect and capable of working with the male hand in hand, why the word Feminism strikes in each and every debate?
In my thinking, Feminism is a word, which makes women weak and feeble. For example: Reservation system for women in the job vacancies, seats for women in the public transport. The funniest concept which each and every individual have in their mind is “Ladies first”. Is it an irony or a satire to the concept of Feminism?
These so-called mannerisms or “decent norms” that we seem to be promoting are in fact feeding into old stereotypes: that women need protection and it is the men who should take charge. What everybody seems to be failing to see here is, with these skewed norms, we continue to subjugate women.
If a state or a ‘civilized society’ practices those norms, we don’t have any right to blame anyone (external factors) for creating such differences. One can ask question to oneself (mainly girls): Are they happy getting seat in the public vehicles or reservation system in jobs? Obviously, the answer would be big YES. So we can make assumption that the backwardness of women is due to their misconception and ignorance about their strength, their rights and responsibilities. And above all, due to the fact that they don’t realize they are in fact equal.
For example: In context of Nepal travelling in public vehicle is like hell. If there is a guy (male) physically ill standing and fit and fine lady sitting in the seat. She doesn’t give second thought that it’s her responsibility to help that guy offering the seat rather she tries to ignore the situation. Why? She is blindfolded by special treatment provided by the government to women. She is brainwashed in such as way that she cannot think herself equal.
Every debate has 2 aspects: positive and negative. Women emphasizing themselves to take all those grants given reflect negative perspective regarding their existence and capability. But we cannot deny the fact that there even exist females who have positive attitude towards their caliber and potentiality.
Lastly, special treatment are just making human race inferior. One must try to gain competitive advantage thinking out of box not on the basis of gifts and grants provided by state.
[Ms. Kafle is a student of Master of Business Administration at Tribhuvan University]
