A vital thought struck me when my close female friends and I were exchanging our thoughts recently. While we were teenagers, most of our problems were because of our overly self-conscious attitude. We barely thought about the consequences of our actions, got into trouble or felt embarrassed for the silliest of things, like submitting a late assignment or reaching school late and having to attend the prayer outside the gate.
However, the pattern did not last for long.
In 70 seconds, find out how #tobacco is costing India its development! #TobaccoNotCool pic.twitter.com/gRsShVZZMm
— Youth Ki Awaaz (@YouthKiAwaaz) December 27, 2017
When we grew up, our twenties had a different flavour. We started to think about bigger issues like societal acceptability, lifestyle choices, work-life balance, financial investment and much more. I am proud to see that not only my friends and I but many more youngsters of this age have started to give so much thought to decisions that actually matter.
As a woman, we all have this vision of how we want to see ourselves in our 30s which is perceived to be the golden age to perform and excel. We have somehow acclimatised ourselves as self-confident, working for a purpose, willing to take risks and most importantly, the ability to stand up for ourselves — in all matters.
While we were contemplating all this, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2022, Nada Young India Network (NYIN) organised a webinar on the theme Tobacco and Alcohol control Improve Gender Equality. I was glad to have got the chance to be present among so many young and successful women during the event.
I take this opportunity to share my thoughts with the larger audience here with this blog.
When we talk of standing up for ourselves, do we know that we have all the right to live and grow in a healthy environment that we are entitled to? We can even speak up about any factor that comes as an obstacle in this environment.
On a daily basis, we interact with our family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and public. In any such interaction, if anyone or yourself inflicts an action that compromises your quality of health, we need to be able to realise the harm and act upon it.
This year the theme for Women’s Day is to imagine a gender-equal world — a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, a world that’s diverse, equitable and inclusive.
As we dwell on our conversation about women, especially young women and their health, I would like to address a couple of important things.
The Exploitation Of Women By Tobacco And Alcohol Lobby
Tobacco and alcohol companies are exploiting women’s struggle for equal rights by creating the impression that tobacco makes women more confident, vocal and more in control of their own destiny, says a WHO report. Tobacco industries also make inaccurate health claims that certain cigarettes are “light” or “mild”, suiting women’s needs and keeping it light on the health.
In some countries, tobacco and alcohol companies sponsor beauty pageants, sports and arts events and even women’s organisations to influence young women to consume these substances. These industries get involved in so many CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities and it highly confuses us about their motive and the cause they are promoting.
Our guest speaker for the webinar, Mrs Varsha, a member of National Inspection & Monitoring Committee, PCPNDT Section, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Panel Advocate on National Commission for Women, Secretary Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, Satara, also addressed this concerning issue.
She said that substances like tobacco and alcohol only inflict self-harm or harm others. It is one of the leading factors of violence caused to women and young girls.
Keeping Farmers At The Front For Profit
We all might have seen Tobacco Industry-sponsored advertisements arguing against tobacco control, saying the livelihood of farmers is harmed due to it.
The panellists also raised the issue of most farmers being ill-treated by tobacco manufacturers and facing health hazards from working on the cultivation field. They are not provided with any safety measures or any alternate means of employment that can secure their lives. They are trapped.
It’s similar for Beedi workers. This industry employs nearly 50 lakh home-based women labourers. Their prime motive is to earn enough to send their children to school. This industry also poses a huge health hazard and exploits women.
What Attracts Young People To Alcohol And Tobacco?
Mrs Varsha said that the modern idea of looking cool and the need to be able to socialise easily, wanting to feel inclusive and adapting to this fast-paced fashion outlook is one of the major reasons.
We need to teach our young girls the evils of such a notion and how evidently the ardent desire to feel socially acceptable is not important. Parental education and monitoring are significant, along with primary school education that exposes these culturally insignificant aspects of growth for a young individual.
For example, while watching IPL at home, parents must educate their children about the tobacco and alcohol brands and advertisements that keep appearing for promotions.
In the process of so-called modernisation, let’s not forget our culture and values as it will be our security in many ways. These substances may control us easily, but we sure can take control of the changing environment around us and not let the former happen.
Addiction to alcohol and tobacco is the longest pandemic our country has been fighting. We cannot expect our country to develop on its own. Young men and women like us who are part of huge networks like NYIN can become accountable and build a healthy nation for all.
Voices Of Young Women
Nada Young India Network is one such platform that provides space for youth to realise, speak up, support and create healthy spaces for one another. Almost 60% of NYIN members are women. Although we try to maintain our best balance with gender diversity, we also give our best support to all women and girls.
NYIN is a platform that strives to connect different individuals and bridge various concerns of the youth. It understands their economic-social and educational differences and empowers them to break from being seen as vulnerable.
In conclusion, NYIN collectively asks everyone to #BreakTheBias. We do not want to be treated as vulnerable. There are opportunities and platforms for young women like us to become aware and conscious of our health.
In the words of our Chairperson, Mr Suneel Vatsyayan, “It is not enough if we empower our women alone, we also need to empower our men, so that the former can be achieved in an egalitarian society.”
Join us in NYIN to celebrate women’s achievements not just on a special day but every day of the year with some volunteerism and community action to work towards a healthy society across the country and world and raise awareness against alcohol and tobacco inflicted harm on health and let’s take action for equality and good health.