March has started and all the fuss about the women’s days is
around us.
On this day organizations, newspapers, tv channels,
advertisements, etc. it all about how great we are.
Today morning while reading the newspaper I fumbled on the Times
of India women’s day theme "The Future is SHE"
It has a list of all the great women who have achieved
milestones in their careers from sports to Corporate, from NGO to entertainment
and panel looked awesome but what was sad about it that I didn’t know many of
them!
We just know about a handful like Indira Nooyi, Sudha
Murthy, Niramala Seetharam, Sakshi Malik and Kalpana Chawla. I wish I would
know at least 2 women in each category which are alive and working
Coming back to the newspaper, it has a small option where
anyone can submit idea, poems and thoughts on "How would you like to
pass on the Baton? "
When I looked up on Google the exact meaning for "Pass
the Baton" it is "hand over a particular duty or responsibility"
Of course it is a good initiative, I don’t want to pass the
Baton to the new generation of Women. We already have enough responsibilities
and duties. I know women are the most underrated handworkers. So here are my thoughts
"Pass the Baton"
I don’t want to "Pass the Baton"
Why to Pass the expectation of this world to new generation
Let them be free!
Free from responsibility of choosing family or work
Free from the judgement of what is she wearing
Free from the being the primary caregiver for children
Free from expectation to take care of family
Free from managing the food and home
Free from endless thankless job she does
I don’t want to "Pass the Baton"
Instead, I want to give her wings so that
She can be herself
She can say NO
She can walk away where she’s not respected
She can choose whatever she wants
She can have her boundaries
She is not judged by other women
She is respected without any conditions
I don’t want to "Pass the Baton"
But I wish I wish a world where
Women can take rest without feeling guilty
Women can prioritize themselves over family
Women can choose in whatever field they want to go
Women can be the primary givers, earners
Women can have equal rights
I don’t want to
"Pass the Baton"
We are doing more than enough, and it is taking a toll on us
Its time, It’s high time now
Time to "Pass the Baton" or rather "Share the
Baton"
between Men and Women
Men can take over the Baton of
Being the primary Parent
Taking care of food that goes to table
And the list goes on
But if Men think they are helping or doing it for Women
All their efforts are in vain.
It not Women's job
It’s not just Women's family
Its equal partnership, equal job and it’s your home and
family too
And that’s what Feminism is all about
Once when everything is equal
We want equal rights, nothing more and nothing less.
No special day or special treatment will do any good to the
Women
So, let’s not just have sessions for Women
but start educating the Men in future
To make this world the better place
- Neha Mehta
