The Oppressed Gender- Female

The condition of women has changed drastically over time, but we still live in a “male dominant” society. Every society has its traditions which shape the mind and understanding of an individual. We live in a society where males get authority and power over females. Women have always been depicted as weak, dependent and inferior. Unfair and unjust use of authority, power and physical force to hold back women from being independent and equal are happening since generations in our society.

Cultural oppression is the most significant cause of domination over women. Culture is defined as the ideas, customs, and beliefs of a particular section of society. It doesn’t justify the oppression of females. Women abuse exists in every society and culture, but it isn’t the same everywhere. The severity of oppression is different in every community. Women are always taught to stay quiet, talk softly, and remain calm by the dominant forces prevailing in our society according to their definition of an IDEAL woman. The society suppresses the voice of females every time they speak of equality. Females are not given a right to have an opinion, put forward their thoughts, have arguments, conflicts, or even take the decisions of their own lives. The oppression starts from their family itself but gets beautifully covered by the scented love and affection that prevails therein.

Sexists are those who discriminate on gender basis. This mindset is seemed to be natural and unchangeable due to various traditions and myths incurring to thoughts that contribute yet another reason for female oppression. Women dominated professions are paid less in comparison to male-dominated professions. The pay gap occurs due to gender discrimination. Sometimes women are paid less than men for the same job. In many societies, females are bound to live within the four walls and take care of the household. They are not allowed to work. If they work then they’re questioned – “Why do you need to work when your husband earns well?”, “How can a woman having children work?” or “How could you manage work as well as the household?” They tell females that their only job is to produce children, raise them and look after their family and household. They kill all the whims and fancies, wants, and desires of women by confining them within the walls of the house.

Oppression is both a means and a result of sexual violence. Women are told to cover their bodies and faces so that it doesn’t trigger the fantasies of men. Women are displayed as sex objects. Females are threatened, humiliated and insulted to dominate them. In many instances, if women oppose men, they’re sexually abused or beaten to death. Both sexual and domestic violence are used as physical tools to oppress and dominate women.

Females all over the world face various challenges to prove their worth. From the inability to access education to gender-based violence, there is a tale of hardships faced by them. We need to empower the voice of women. To overcome and change this oppression and discrimination, the mentality of people needs to evolve.

“Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression” — Nelson Mandela.