Those who know me understand how natural it is for me to become a voice for women equality. I am the erstwhile ‘Feminist’.  My disdain for chauvinistic and patriarchal societal bearings almost physically exuded from my body.  For many years I had been the ardent & vociferous girl ready to prove her worth to be equal or more than a boy.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to prove my worth to my parents who had high aspirations for both my sister and me. They instilled in us a belief in ourselves, a sense of independence and a resolve for hard work. We never expected life to be easy and we certainly were never made to believe that a ‘brother’ or ‘husband’ would take life head on for us while we watched from behind. I already had a front seat to life. And for all the women out there who didn’t, I blamed it on the men.

And soon I found out, I was wrong. It was I, one of many women who shared the blame for our underprivileged position in society.

We don’t have to demand our rights from men; we just have to decide to be equal. Each time we ask to be treated with special consideration we make ourselves unequal. The recent rampant rant  across groups on ‘Women’ – ‘Women Entrepreneurship’, ‘Women Marathon’, ‘Women Reservation’, ‘Women Awards’ , ‘Women’s Day’ & so many more makes our world different from a ‘Man’s’ world. By categorising ourselves as ‘different’ we only make ourselves more distant from the real world we all yearn so much to be a part of.

If all women simply decided to be equal there would be no women out there accepting an award for the ‘Best Women Entrepreneur’ because she would know that there is no such thing in the real world. I have watched with deep consternation, credulous women at large falling for this unscrupulous bunkum that is beautifully staged to make us believe that ‘Women are special’.

I have looked at my mortal enemy each day in the mirror, seeking glorification and recognition, hankering for that pat on the back and be told that ‘you are special’.

Don’t try to be needed, become competent.
Don’t try to get recognised, become indispensable
Don’t try to be special, be a part of the collective
Don’t seek privilege, take responsibility
Don’t accept differential treatment, choose today to be EQUAL