By Dr Rashi Mishra
“Ye to sach hai ki bhagwaan hai… dharti par roop maa baap ka, us vidhata ki pehchan hai“—these lyrics beautifully capture the essence of parental love and its divine significance. For every child, their parents are the epitome of heroism and the bedrock of their existence. The bond between parents and their daughter is fundamental that provides her with a safe space to express her feelings, fears, and dreams.
From the moment a girl enters the world, she is often enveloped in the warmth and security of her parents’ love. This protective cocoon, woven with threads of care, guidance, and unconditional support, shapes her formative years. Parents emphasise the importance of education, ensuring their daughter has access to quality learning opportunities. Ironically, all those parents who have wholeheartedly embraced the principles of Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao, ensuring their daughters face no discrimination and are provided with an ideal, nurturing environment, often remain unaware of the outside world’s harsh realities. Despite their efforts, their daughter may still encounter stereotypes that question her individuality or limit her potential. One of the harshest realities a woman may face is the threat of violence. Whether in public spaces, educational institutions, or workplaces, these threats are pervasive.
In spite of her immense potential, a woman encounters a society that discriminates against her, questions her individuality, judges her unfairly in the professional realm, spreads rumors, and suppresses her and much more. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) highlights that women face significant barriers to accessing leadership roles. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about one in three women worldwide have experienced threat or violence, often perpetrated in public spaces, educational institutions, and workplaces.
Women can support women creating a more just and equitable society, where future generations of girls can thrive without fear of discrimination or threat. Women leadership and advocacy are powerful forces for societal transformation. Irrespective of the progress in gender equality, women still face discrimination in employment and social settings. However, the serenity in her eyes speaks volumes; she still harbours hope.
