A Wo(Man) Problem!

Ever wondered why children run to their mothers and not their fathers when they’re sad, angry or hungry? We often find ourselves hanging out with guys, but we tend to turn to a woman for a personal, meaningful conversation. Every man would’ve had a point in life, where he turned his life around for the woman he loved. Ever wondered why much of our confidence are vested in women, though our society projects otherwise? Here I am, calling out the elephant in the room, trying to decode our flawed system that projects to be perfect.

Women are Monochrome

It’s important to understand the nature of the subject of discussion before studying its behavior and assuming its needs. We’ve heard people say that one can never fully understand a woman. I’m no expert, but my background in psychology and interaction with women from various parts of the country, different ethnic and cultural backgrounds have given me a certain idea. Since I’m a photographer I will use a visual metaphor to put forth this idea.

Women are Monochrome. Mind you, monochrome isn’t black and white. Most of what’s on a monochrome photograph is grey, which is how most parts of our life are. Women embrace that very nature of life, which is grey. We cannot have a black or white situation all the time, life isn’t designed to be dealt that way. Unlike men, women however understand this better. From childhood, through teenage, adulthood, to old age, they blend gracefully like charcoal dust on a canvas, creating a masterpiece of an art, which is ALL GREY AND BEAUTIFUL. Maybe that’s the reason why they’re the most loved. They’re beautiful through every aspect of life. You may question - If these things were true, then why are women complicated to deal with? Well, the problem is not the woman or you but the system that we’re caged in.

Caged within a flawed system

The strength or weakness of a society depends on its foundation. Patriarchy, objectification and hierarchy are some of the evil parts of our foundation that needs discussion. It’s not just the women who are victims of the system, men are equally affected by it. Those that benefit from it are the ignorant or those that enjoy the privileges that come with the system. Here are few questions I want you to think about. The plan is to make you question your belief system that you’re caged within. To give yourself a chance to break a few bars of the cage and change the way you look at women.

1. In our society a woman is either made a purity symbol or a being of disgust. There is no in between. Let’s forget about what led to this perception of women. The question is why are we still holding on to it?
2. A woman is seen as a commodity and not an intelligent, emotional being. The absurd ceremonies during our weddings stand proof for how sexist a society we are. The system expects women to give up the people that raised them and start a life with a new family, adhering to their lifestyle. This is a psychologically complex issue that has been normalized. If you think what I say is a myth, go have a conversation with your mother or your married sister. The question is - what keeps us from stopping the sexism that reigns in our system?
3. Women are meant to stay home, they are expected to be great cooks and women are restricted to certain specific career options. Now this is not only a woman’s problem, but a man’s too. A man is not expected but forced to take up all the load on him. It is completely foolish and unnecessary, considering the fact that women are better decision makers, more intellectual and matured than men. It is also cruel to suppress all that intellect within four walls, just because she is a woman. Why are we suppressing each other instead of living freely?
4. What’s the damn obsession with a woman’s sexuality? A woman in a dress or saree is called a lady, while a national level sportswoman who makes her nation proud is called a slut for wearing shorts. A woman has to be a virgin to be considered pure. But if a man goes around boasting about his previous flings, he is considered manly. The holy mother of Jesus had to be a bloody virgin. What a joke. My question – Do you think that women do not have sexual urges and thoughts by nature? (Think twice, it could be the opposite of what you believe)

I don’t need to hear your answers, they are just for you to think and take that one step into making lives of women around you easier and fairer. They deserve it for keeping up with all the suppression in the name of love, care and respect. Let’s brake the damned stigma and share our load with women with honour. If you still think women are better of the way they are, then look again. Look at how beautifully and gracefully they put up with the flawed system and its by-products, to keep families together, relationships together, their dreams together. They don’t blend, they make us blend into a world that makes us all feel home. Take another good look at the woman you love. Take a good look at your mother, your granny, sister and friend. You will realize that they are not blenders of themselves, but of those around them too.