‘Gharghar’ was a quintessential game that all of us must have played at some point in our childhoods. It involved a designated husband, a wife, a couple of kids and people who were a part of their world. The premise of the game was simple; kids would imitate their parent’s daily behaviours. The ‘husband’ for example would be given breakfast early, would be very impatient and would leave for work. The wife would go shopping after she completed her household chores.
When I look back, there was this one incident that had a profound impact on my life at a very young age.
My friends and I were in the midst of playing the game when I said “I don’t feel like cooking today, why don’t you (husband) cook?”
My friend Riddhi, playing the part of a husband, replied, “That’s a girl’s job. I can’t do it. I have to take care of the business”.
The role of the husband was played by a 7-year old girl yet she knew that men couldn’t be expected to cook. They had to earn money and run a business. Our understanding of businesses was vague back then. It was a mysterious way through which people earned money but one thing was clear, it was a man’s domain and women couldn’t enter it.
No parent wants to limit their child’s aspirations. However, one cannot deny that there are subtle differences, that you realize in hindsight, in the career paths considered to be “acceptable” for men and women. Children are very perceptive; these small things play an important role in their psyche.
Subconsciously, we start believing that men and women have pre-defined roles in the society and one cannot break away from that mould. The culture and the environment we grow up in often affects the choices we make later on in our lives.
Girls are taught, “The sky is your limit and you can do whatever you want as long as are not neglecting your family and your duties at home”. Our freedom is burdened with so many terms and conditions that our dreams just don’t take flight
The recent Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) ranks India 52 out of 57 countries. The ranking remains unchanged from the previous year. Interestingly, cultural bias is the major reason attributed to the fact that Indian women are less inclined towards business ownership. The second factor is the lack of finance.
Did you know that India is the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem? Only 14% of these start-ups are run by women entrepreneurs and most of them are self-financed.
2018 was the year when many women began talking, debating and raising their voices for issues most important to them. We stood together to #PressForProgress, we shared our #MeToo stories to spread awareness on how rampant sexual abuse is and said #TimesUp to the perpetrators of sexual assault, harassment, and inequality.
This is just the beginning. What has begun as dialogue has to translate to something tangible? Empowering women economically is the first baby step towards women empowerment as a whole.
There is increasing evidence that shows entrepreneurship as being a vital contributor to the advancement of a country’s economy. Today, it is a commonly accepted fact that both women’s development and national development run hand in hand. In order to achieve inclusive development, it is essential to actively involve women in the economic system.
Entrepreneurship is an integral part of socio-economic transformation. A woman as an entrepreneur is economically more powerful than as a laborer because ownership not only confers control over assets but also gives her the freedom to make decisions. It is widely accepted that if women’s empowerment has to be purposeful and relevant, women have to be full-fledged participants in economic activities.
Thus, by investing in entrepreneurship opportunities we can reduce gender equality, eradicate poverty and work towards an inclusive India.
Let’s begin harnessing the power of the half billion that has always remained in the shadows. Let’s have more women in power and in leadership roles. Let’s teach our girls that they, too, can become future entrepreneurs; all they need is a good idea and hard work. Let’s all work towards an inclusive society where women and men contribute equitably.
A platform like The Economic Times hosts ET Women’s Forum and this year marks the second edition. It is a definitive and diverse gathering of influential women of impact from India and abroad. I strongly feel that there should be more platforms like these which not only highlight issues but also help in finding out the possible solutions. Explore the rich culture of the forum on its website www.etwomensforum.com. They also have a nomination drive running on Facebook and Twitter where you can nominate the inspirational women in your life and turn their stories into legend. To view the ET Woman’s Forum from the lens of the new age woman you can follow their Instagram handle. Champion the cause of empowerment by taking part in the forum debates on their social media platforms.
I am definitely joining in the interesting conversations; hope to see you there as well.
We remember the day seven years back when were travelling in a Mumbai local trying hard to come up with a name for our blog when struck us; Khushboo was always called a Jack of all Trades. The name stuck (with a slight modification, of course) and Munni was born.
Six years, over 100 collaborations, lakhs of readers and several awards later; our love for blogging continues to grow. We continue to write on an eclectic range of topics from the funniest autorickshaw signs that we have spotted in Mumbai to how to bathe an elephant. We are true blue Munni of all Trades and we hope to continue on this joyride with our fellow Munnis and Munnas.
I hate that there are still people think that cooking is a woman’s job. Anyone should know how to keep themselves alive.
What a great post to encourage and inspire. Women need to see more fantastic messages like this in the world today!
Assistance can be render irrespective of gender. A man can cook for his wife its part of showing love
Such a great read and I absolutely agree!
Stereotyping women is so decades ago! I hate it when people think that house chores should be done by women alone.
I love that you are writing to empower women. We are all equal and it is great to know that ET is hosting such an important forum!
I wish more people in society would evolve, gender roles have changed. Cooking is not a woman’s job, women are intelligent, strong, and powerful. I love women’s empowerment and I think it’s important for women to support one another also. Thank you for sharing this powerful post!
Nice article and I think this serve as an open eye to all that women is not only for a kitchen or household duties. Women can also do what can men do, We have the right to do things that will help us for our living. I will definitely check that website to know more about it, thanks for sharing!
Everything that guys can do, girls can do. It’s already 2019 and guys should move on with their irrational beliefs and belittle women. Girls can do anything As long as the job is not about carrying heavy objects or climbing rooftops. Lols.
funny, I was having a vast dialogue the other day with some of my “macho friends” who think women should still be able to do all even though they are now able to provide for the family equally.
Oh goodness this is such a powerful article! This is so on point, need to check out that site.
Luckily I grew up in a family where there was no such gender bias. I got a hold of this mentality after marriage. Really struggled through a lot because of the norms stated differently for men and women. Having a very supportive and understanding husband has helped me alot through situations. I hope change will slowly and gradually take place in the society.
I’m glad the gender narrative is changing. Like you mentioned, the major reason there seems to be a gridlock is culture. Those childhood plays are part of our socialisation.
Yes, it is a problem in our society that we have made such differences, I mean it isn’t any harm if a guy cooks at least he can’t be dependent upon others but it is a taboo in our society that men can’t cook or do other household work. Love reading your article and yes let us make a beautiful society where everyone is treated as equals. I appreciate that ET is hosting this forum for women and I hope there are many more businesswomen in the future.
It was such a relief to see more women come forward in 2018. There was definitely a sense of women empowerment.
Sadly in this day and age the mentality of some parts of the world will never change ,Men are seen as breadwinners and women as homemakers. Its great that the outlook is changing and more efforts are made to change this thinking and womens are getting the recognition as an equal.
Very well thought out post. Its important for us to continually look at the ways prejudices have seeped into our lives. It’s the small things, like playing a game, that make it second nature. So those are the things we need to work on!
There is such an undeniably powerful message in this post that all women should embrace. True equality is indeed there for the taking if we are all determined enough to want to set and reach ambitious goals.
That is such a sad story! However, I remember it being just like that when I was a kid as well, in Sweden. And we are now quite (if not all the way) equal. So change can happen quickly once it gets going! So great that you’re tackling this difficult subject!
oh wow! The world we live in!!! Can’t believe things like that still happen on a daily basis. Thank you so much for this post, very inspiring.
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
I can remember playing this game in the USA with my friends or with dolls growing up (except we usually called it “house”). And the gender stereotypes were the same! The man would go off to the mysterious “work” and the women would take care of the children. I definitely hope to encourage more ambition if I ever have a daughter one day than I had for myself as a girl.
There are many mentalities that need to change so that more women start creating their own businesses. I believe that our generation is the one that realised the discrepancy between men and women and because of it we will be able to teach our children differently, than what a man can do, a woman can do as well.
This post screams #girlpower I agree with everything you say. I think changes for women are finally happening! Us women can do anything a man can!
I really lobe that you are writing to empower women. We need more posts like this!
It can be so frustrating trying to move past these ridiculous notions of gender roles. When you empower women, you improve the world.
Nice and this is such a powerful article! Your are encouraging and inspiring.
This post is great. You write so well, and I love how you told the story from the younger age.
Great stuff! And good for raising awareness.
This is such a powerful article. A very important topic these days and some really great information. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t believe only 14% of startups are from women! These stats are shocking. I am glad ET is coming up with this platform.
Very inspiring post and motivating. Your post has already lifted me up and inspired my thoughts. Hope it reached out to more people. Really great write up.
I love this so much! Even in today’s world, there is still a strong stereotype that girls have certain roles. That’s just not true!
This blog post is so inspiring to women, thank you for sharing this it’s wonderful.
I am so happy to see woman gaining traction in business enterprises and breaking the narrative that has been the status quo for so long. Thank you for sharing!
great sharing!! Love your passion about empowerment women 😀 Wish I can be 1 of the audience too, all the best ya 😀
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
This is so inspiring. Whilst it shouldn’t be like this, I think pretty much everywhere in the world there are issues with gender equality. All at varying levels. Whether it’s the full time working mum who comes home from work and has all the brunt of housework and childcare on her shoulders. whilst husband sits eating the food she’s cooked and lifts no finger to help at all. The father who has to be asked to ‘baby sit’ his own children. Or the mum who’s too frightened to follow her dreams because her ‘family’ role has been set in stone for decades. Keep talking ladies.
Such an inspiring and eye-opening story. Thanks for sharing this and spreading the word…so important!
Such an empowering story, as a mum to a girl and a boy myself I often tell them that jobs must be shared and girls are as smart as boys
Stereotypical gender roles bred many toxic things. It is important that people do what makes them happy and comfortable. Its okay to be in or outside the box.
Omg empowering woman is so important!!!! Definitely something we need to see more of!!!!
I love this! It is so important to encourage and empower women all over the world. We have come so far but still unfortunately have a long way to go. It shouldn’t be that way and I can’t believe people still think it’s okay to make sexist remarks. Everybody should be equal 🙂