Women have always been oppressed and looked down upon as second class citizen by men everywhere. She has been made to suffer
in all societies throughout the centuries.
Even though she enjoys equal status with man in the developed countries now, there is a lot of domestic violence there and she is beaten up and even killed by the ‘stronger’ man.
In the developing countries, her life is miserable. Parents abort a
female fetus or practice female infanticide. Boys are preferentially treated and given proper education. She is subjected to physical torture, unrewarded hard work,
burning, beating to death, and all sorts of mental oppressions.
In the Middle East and in North Africa, young girls are subjected to female genital mutilation, when they grow up they may be kidnapped and raped to force them into marriage. Or, they may be killed to safeguard the honor of the family. Or still, she may be surrendered as a sex slave to patch up with an enemy family. Bride burning, stoning her to death, acid attacks and divorces at the will of the husband are all very common. She is confined to the four walls producing children and cover herself head to foot in a dark cloak.
Men and women are created equal by nature-- their intelligence levels are the same. Man is physically superior but women generally are more patient and they have a better EQ. In the evolutionary history, men and women have been assigned different and distinct roles vital for the survival of the species and accordingly they evolved-- and women deserve a dignified life with self respect.
Is it not then fair to strive to make the life of women less painful and more dignified than what it is today? A society can progresses only with the empowerment of women.
Why not we take the solemn pledge now that;
1. Men and women are equal in all respects and that boys and girls are to be treated at par.
2. We will strive to stop the abortion of female fetus and female infanticide.
3. Boys and girls will be given equal opportunity for education and employment.
4. Dowry will not be given or taken for marriage (girls will have the right for equal share of the parents’ wealth)
5. We will fight against female genital mutilation, bride kidnapping, bride burning, acid attacks, honor killing, wife-bashing or stoning and domestic violence.
6. A divorce can be allowed only with the consent of both the partners through a legal institution.
7. A woman cannot be atoned for the sin of her family.
8. A woman has the right for divorce just like a man.
9. The husband and in-laws should treat her as a human being worthy of respect and love
10. We will try to stop to all kinds of eve-teasing and make our society safe for women at any time of the day or night.
11. Women can dress herself the way she wants and do a work of her liking.
12. The household chores will be shared if both are employed.
If you want to sign up, send your name and address to my email (professorpavarghese@yahoo.co.uk)