Woman of Today

I dont know if I have this one completely wrong. I am willing to check my premises if necessary. But as of now, I do not understand the women's lib (so nicknamed) movement. I recently attended the South Asian Womens' Film Festival. The theme was centered around 'celebrating South Asian Women'. And I failed to identify with it, or understand the exact goal of the exercise. (And not to mention, I am both, South Asian, and Woman) With due regard to the organizers, the participants and the subjects, I still want to know what we are building this on. The show had some interesting dance sequences, both modern and classical; an excerpt from the writings of a Pakistani woman which was very very well written; a naration from 'Vagina Monologues' and so on. There was a documentary on lesbian marriages espcially in the Indian cultural context. Two Indian women who have taken this step and gone to court fighting for Lesbian marriages to be legalised were interviewed. I do commend their step.

However, I felt more strongly about the various women from Islamic countries and even several Indian communities who do not get the same privileges as their male siblings.

And yet, I do not see the need for us 'privileged' women to celebrate our womanhood anymore. Not those women who have not ever borne the brunt of being discriminated against (I, for instance). Also, which social section are programmes like these targetting. And what is the goal? To create awareness? If it is to raise funds and take a step towards liberating some of our less advantaged fellow women, that will be more understandable. But to make a big deal out of belonging to one out of two genders is not easy for me to understand. I fully sympathise with the socially challenged and oppressed women who need support. But I sincerely think this also goes way beyond a bunch of privileged women being 'aware' of it.

At the same time, same sex / lesbian marriages do not figure under womens' issues for me. I dont see it as any different from gay marriages. Yes, it makes a difference that these preferences meet with a lot more resistance in the context of South Asian cultural biases and often, narrow mindedness. But surely it's not the same as not having the same rights as men in a given social segment.

This is not a disclaimer, but I really want to know what most girls who harp on the 'I am proud to be a woman' theme. I dont have anything against anyone being proud of anything they are /do or prefer, but I refuse to subscribe to saying that for the heck of it.

Hmmph. There are gender differences and they will remain. But that's another topic again.