Haryana / Hisar:- While it is acknowledged that certain boundaries or restrictions are necessary to navigate life properly, why are these restrictions predominantly imposed upon women? Why is it always women who are instructed that they must live strictly according to the rules and regulations of the household? Why are these same restrictions not imposed upon men? Why do men enjoy the liberty to do whatever they please?
If a woman wishes to dress according to her own preference, the entire society views her with a critical eye. Even the very man with whom she shares her life attempts to dictate her attire. And by "attire," I certainly do not mean clothing that is revealing or indecent. My point is that if a woman chooses to step away from traditional wear—such as sarees or *suits*—and opts to wear jeans or a skirt instead, there remains a segment of men who bind her with restrictions, questioning why she is deviating from her culture or engaging in "fashion." Why, they ask, did she cut her hair?
Should the privilege of dressing however one pleases—or forming friendships with whomever one chooses—belong solely to men? Should only men have the liberty to cast judgment—whether positive or negative—upon women outside their own families? Why is a woman not permitted to form friendships, or why can she not confide her innermost thoughts to another person? If she happens to have a male friend, why is she immediately branded as a woman of loose character? The answer lies in the fact that, even today, our society remains patriarchal.
Even today, men remain trapped within their own rigid mindsets; they continue to engage in lewd and inappropriate behavior toward almost every woman they encounter—even in the online realm. It is precisely because of this behavior that a woman's family members feel compelled to impose restrictions upon her. Even when the woman herself is entirely blameless—and has done nothing to invite such behavior—it is ironically claimed that men are now granting women the right to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them.
But what kind of "right" is this? It is a right that allows men to send inappropriate and offensive messages to virtually every woman they encounter—sparing only the women within their own immediate families—while harboring the mindset that they must "put women in their place." Why is it that only the woman is subjected to verbal abuse and derogatory labels? Why is it *she* who is labeled a "loose woman," a "prostitute," and so on? Why not the man?
After all, it is *he* who harbors thoughts of having relations with nearly every other woman he encounters. Even with a wife at home, he casts a lustful gaze upon other women. He hurls insults that specifically invoke the names of women—abuses that target mothers and sisters—yet in conflicts between men, it is precisely *these* women—mothers, sisters, and daughters—who are subjected to the verbal abuse.
Why is this the case? What is the fault of women? Is it simply that she is a woman—one whom a husband "keeps," making do with whatever he provides or whatever income he brings home?
Yet, when she *does* earn her own living—when she goes to the office or ventures out into the world—she becomes the victim of men's lewd stares. Everyone judges her based on her attire and demeanor, casting a predatory gaze upon her.
If a woman wishes to pursue an activity for her own personal happiness, why is she not permitted to do so? Why is she constantly made to feel that she is a "weak woman"—physically as well as mentally?
Most men assert that a woman's intellect resides not in her head, but in her knees. Consequently, upon returning home, a man often refrains from sharing his thoughts or matters of importance with his wife.
But is it truly a prerequisite that the man must be the more sensible one? A woman, too, is capable of being sensible. If a man were willing, he could strive to understand his wife—and, in turn, help her understand him. He could place his trust in her.
However, the majority of men still do not place their trust in women. They harbor the fear that if a woman steps out of the house, she will inevitably lose her moral character.
I ask: Why is the woman held responsible for the lewd gazes she encounters from men in the outside world? What fault of hers is involved in that?
It is precisely because of this societal mindset that, even today, more than half of all women remain confined within their homes. In India, they have been reduced to nothing more than domestic fixtures.
Just try placing your trust in them—just once. You might find that they demonstrate even greater wisdom and sensibility than you do. Lift the restrictions placed upon them, and set them free to navigate and contend with the world on their own terms. One must ensure her safety; for—God forbid—should she ever find herself alone, she would be utterly ill-equipped to contend with the evils of this society.
Many men refrain from disclosing details regarding their earnings or business affairs to the women in their households—a practice that is fundamentally wrong. For, despite living within the family unit, the woman remains unaware of the source of the household income, the sheer effort expended to earn it, or where it has been saved or stored.
This practice entails several disadvantages. Firstly, the woman is unable to truly appreciate the value of money, often leading her to indulge in frivolous spending.
Secondly—God forbid—should some calamity befall the man—such as an accident, a serious illness, or a premature death—the woman is left completely helpless. She remains entirely ignorant of where and how the man of the house has kept his funds, or where he has made his investments.
Men who harbor the belief that women should not be privy to every detail concerning the household are committing a grave error.
Therefore, lift these restrictions placed upon women and try placing greater trust in them instead. For God has created all human beings as equals; indeed, He has endowed women with a measure of wisdom, resilience, and strength that far exceeds even that which He bestowed upon men.