ARE WOMEN BREATHING FREELY? (PART-1)

The world has been making advancements in almost every field possible. If we take notes from the history, not everything seems to be the same anymore. But what is the biggest achievement so far? From what I know, it is the equality of genders that is prevailing the time. Women are no more understood weak for men dominated jobs and men are no more forced to do only particular jobs. The world is becoming broad. These changes were possible because of the brave efforts of few fearless souls. Let me explain with few examples :

I) The feminist movement (also known as the women's movement, or simply feminism) refers to a series of political campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, women's suffrage, sexual harassement, all of which fall under the label of feminism and the feminist movement.

II) The Chipko movement or Chipko Andolan, was a forest conservation movement in India. It began in 1970s in Uttarakhand, then a part of Uttar Pradesh (at the foothills of Himalayas) and went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. It created a precedent for starting nonviolent protest in India, and its success meant that the world immediately took notice of this non-violent movement, which was to inspire in time many similar eco-groups by helping to slow down the rapid deforestation, expose vested interests, increase social awareness and the need to save trees, increase ecological awareness, and demonstrate the viability of people power.

III) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social movements are social movements that advocate for LGBT people in society. Social movements may focus on equal rights, such as the 2000s movement for marriage equality, or they may focus on liberation, as in the gay liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Earlier movements focused on self-help and self-acceptance, such as the homophile movement of the 1950s. A commonly stated goal among these movements is social equality for LGBT people.

These movements were started for uplifting the society because there was an urge to do so. Things were going out of hands. Today, let's just talk about women's right or I say plight. Earlier, women were considered only to do household chores and fulfill "men's" desires. They weren't given any  role towards the society. They couldn't vote, they couldn't roam around freely and they were legit forced to do things without their permissions. They were forced to have babies at a young age as well  against their will. You tell me! Would you rather chase your dreams  or have babies when you're 18? The answer is obvious. But women had no option like this. Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime with the abuser usually someone known to her. Can you imagine the courage and determination they showed (who started this movement)? When this "Feminist Movement" came into being, it gave number of girls and women a hope to live. I won't say it compeletly changed everything but yes! it did introduce some good days.

In 2017,  women were allowed for access to government services such as education and healthcare without the need for consent from a guardian. A decree was issued allowing women to drive, lifting the world's only ban on women drivers in Saudi Arabia.  In 2018, Women’s movements made incredible gains in Ireland and Chile, where abortion—previously banned completely in both countries—was decriminalized. And in Argentina, after decades of activism, women’s groups galvanized public and political support and helped bring an abortion rights law closer to passing than ever before. The bill, which would allow for legal abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, passed a vote in Argentina’s house. I apologize for not sharing many more achievements but the efforts were worth it. Every creature on this planet deserves a legit respect despite one's status. But there are still many problems lying in people's thinking and thoughts.

As of 2016, Delhi is the least safe State/UT with the highest cognizable crime rate of 160.4 (per 100,000 persons) and Uttar Pradesh has the highest incidence of crime on women based on percentage of share. Papua New Guinea is marked as one of the dangerous countries for women followed by Pakistan, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.  Sadly, women has not been freed yet. Men keep dominating and suppressing them in anyway possible. On news channels, on an average on 3/10 is related to abuse towards women. No matter how many efforts and movements come upon the stage, nothing is going to change unless everyone has a mutual respect for every other person. 

To be continued ........