As I started writing about the plight of women during the pandemic, I realised that it should be better for me to say out loud that in Indian society, women has always been subservient to male authority. Life of a woman was never easier before the coronavirus pandemic nor is it during or after the pandemic.
Previously, we had seen several cases of physical violence against women, but what is shocking to see is that nowadays, women are exploited way more, both emotionally as well as mentally. Owing to the pandemic, most companies have transitioned to a work-from-home culture, which, in some cases, has complicated the situation for working women. A significant number of women associates are eager to go back to work.
Women, and not men, are expected to do more household chores and balance their domestic-work life accordingly. The “family well-wishers” expect a perfect role model out of their “daughters” in a “not-so-perfect” society. All of these drains out a lot of positive energy and creates mental exhaustion amongst women.
I hope that, we as part of a progressive society should at least try to act more liberal than we like to think we are. Let’s just start with a small step and acknowledge a woman’s work — both professional and personal — without just categorising the former as a pass-time and the later her duty towards her family.