Women, The Architects Of Life

We live in a world that we think is developed due to its increased economic productivity and easy availability of comfort and luxury. Nevertheless, it is evident that throughout the entire world there is a tremendous degeneration in moral and ethical values, a breakdown of the old family system, and decrease in the strong bond of love and relationship between people. Willfulness, desire for sense pleasure, self-conceited attitude, self-desire, self-culture , self-righteous nature, self-centeredness with the play of self-justification, and the play of extroverted mind are increasingly becoming the cause of multitude problems in life. With industrialization, there was expansion. The resulting the colonialism and economic exploitation then led to the rise of resistance against the tyrannical rule and movement for freedom. Hence people thought freedom wasthe panacea. Even in European and American countries there was a struggle for the freedom of Women, and in many countries also the struggle for freedom from slavery. Consequently, it was just a matter of time before that struggle spread and one found the moment for the equality of women and the fight for women’s right throughout the world.  As a result of two world wars, that brought death to countless men in battle, women were compelled to come out of the four corners of their homes to the outside world and take part in most of the activities, starting with the hard physical work that was previously to men only.

Even now there is a constant struggle for equality between men and women. But what is this equality? Is it to have equal rights or equal duties and responsibilities? Unfortunately, if by looking at men, a woman wants to be equal with him, or a man wants to be equal with her, it is quite a wrong approach. For example, one need only look at the biological nature of men and women to see that they are completely different in regards to their natural roles and responsibilities. Looking at it from that respective, we see that both complement each other and together they bring a love and understanding that are complete.

What has happened in the past is due to the wrong approach to life and social setup, in most cases women were oppressed, used, abused, ill-treated in many different ways. No doubt that should have been rectified. It was a great blunder and history will not forgive it. However, mistakes are not for mistakes, they are for correction. Correction is always associated with the humble acceptance of mistakes along with an attitude of forgiveness of those who suffered. If instead women become aggressive and men become non-compromising, it is surely not a healthy approach. In fact, it is the fundamental cause of difference and discord, the cause of all conflicts.

Looking at the scenario of our present society, especially in India, we can easily find that with the spread of education there is a good deal of awakening in society. Indeed, women are equal and even better in efficiency and skill in many fields in comparison to men, and they have been successful in having careers. Make no mistake; there is nothing wrong with what is happening. In fact, we should open the scope for all to move forward.

Here a few things should be mentioned:

1. From their childhood, women should be taught to be courageous and not victims of exploitation in the name of gender. Sexual exploitation is a crime on the earth and in heaven.
2. Women should not be the cause of their own misery by allowing themselves to be just a toy for physical pleasure; they are indeed much more than that.
3. Women should have a voice, even in the family, for a healthy atmosphere. In India, we have seen many vices such as dowry at the time of marriage or the expectation to bear a male child. Women should learn to boycott a marriage if there is a discussion of dowry at the time of marriage.
4. Women are the centre of the family life and the should create an atmosphere of love, understanding, and higher values in life, not just material accumulation or physical pleasure.
5. Women should come forward for their own cause. In the family, if there is pressure for foeticide in the case of conceiving a girl, there should be a strong resistance.
6. Modesty and morality are the two wings of noble living, which we should never forget. Women should not try to expose their bodies or make themselves enticing to others.
7. In social networking and modern modes of communications, like SMS, or facebook or whatever form it may appear, women should not act foolishly, trusting others without even giving it a second thought.
8. Since God has given the faculty of rationality, discrimination (looking at right and wrong), and the ability of self-discipline and self-control, we should learn to always use these qualities in our daily lives.
9. Spiritual and value-based education is essential at the present time for raising children and even for adults to live in a better way.
10. We should not be self-centered, thinking only of ourselves and our own family. As human beings we have a social responsibility, and we can work both individually or collectively. We should thus think of our responsibility and find time to work for bringing change the society by donating our time, talent and treasure, which means giving a part of our income to use to transform society by helping those in need.

Above all, we should never forget that women are the makers of human beings and the future of the humanity. In reality, they are far above man and should there by realize their dignified role for making this planet a better world to live in, and in turn, we should all humbly cooperate with them and offer our love, respect and adoration.