Whether we like it or not and no matter what facts and figures we may quote the fact remains that “it is and will always be a man’s world”. There may be an occasional variant and exploits by exceptionally gifted woman but the crux of the matter always remains as above.
Ever since the dawn of civilization, man has showed his dominance over them by the sheer magnitude of his physical prowess. This was the reason for such inhibitive customs like the pardah system, dowry and the sati practice which was a sheer manifestation of his hold over women. She played a crucial role in his life no doubt as a mother, wife and daughter but when it came to equal rights she virtually had none. This was so because men never wanted to make her an equal partner. Thus in all crucial matters pertaining to property or ascendance to the throne it was the son who inherited the property or throne.
Even if we concede, that man may have usurped their rights by sheer brute force but we still cannot deny the biological truth. The very conjecture of a man brings forth a picture of brawn, rough and muscular personality whereas the women is the emblem of beauty, frail, soft and tender. Thus biologically too they are quite distinct from one another and in fact complement each other. This is the reason why we graciously refer to the other as the better halves.
This discrimination against women is even true today no matter how loudly we may proclaim to the contrary. Is it not a fact that after marriage the girl has to adopt the surname of her spouse and move in with him? Thus what little she had of her identity, is also lost after marriage. She is also denied her share in parental property. The male hegemony is more evident in Muslims, who are legally permitted to have four wives and have the liberty to divorce their wives by mere uttering of the word “Talaq†thrice. In some countries, they have no right of franchise and therefore cannot cast their vote. Their evidence is also not acceptable in courts. All this is but to prove that it was and will be a man’s world.
With the increase in literacy and awakening among women, this gap is bound to lessen but the divide is so great that it seems nature also wills it this way. Thus instead of competing, it would be better it they complement each other and lead a wholesome life respecting eachothers rights and liberty.
