Honour gender gaps

Gender distances and gaps are deep rooted in the psyche of us Indians. Right from the childhood stage these gaps are forced into our thinking. Even the so called enlightened society and its constituents nurture such perceptions in a concealed and hypocritical manner which beyond a point can prove harmful to society in dangerous proportions. Experiences clearly show that with the spread of education, these gaps have reduced. But the question which disturbs is that with the spread of education have we been morally upgraded in a fair manner. Mitigating these gaps totally would only be a copybook wishful thinking in the present scenario.

Nature itself has created these gaps which should not be interfered beyond a certain point. Sexual crimes and other gender based harassments are not due to these forced gaps, but are results of improper education being imparted at different levels. These gender gaps have been inherent part of our society since ages. The ancient society seldom witnessed gender harassment and other related crimes which so called educated society of today is shamefully experiencing. The moral education if imparted in a right manner can work wonders in improvement of things in this direction. Only a handful of educational institutes offer moral education in the curriculum for students and that too without proper seriousness and efficacy.

It has been rightly felt that with the changing environment and renewed social thinking the perception of gender gaps also needs to be changed, but these nature made gaps should not be doctored beyond one point. The mutual love and respect towards opposite sex should be at the core of our thinking and needs to be encouraged by educating masses in the right manner.  The umbrella perception pertaining to gender equality without regard to cultural, educational and religious factors should not be thought of as it would brew more problems than solutions in our society which is already marred by social constraints of varied nature. Blindly following the western culture and practices would not do any good to us. The change should always be welcome whether it is social, economic or political. But these changes should come in a very natural and subtle way. Enacting changes in our social and moral behaviour without giving regard to our cultural, regional, religious and moral boundaries would be asking for more troubles and social ailments.

 It is quite evident from the experiences of the past that inconclusive debates and discussions over rape incidents, cases of gender harassment, need of the more stringent regulations and their effective implementation, the slugfest, political opportunitism and  demonstrations,  are all that stand achieved post these shameful incidents. The whole nation at the time bows its head in shame but all that as usual, is momentary. The heads when rise again are shamelessly same, ready to accept things as they are. Hardly had the candles lit to mark the solidarity and concern with the rape victims, the humanity once again starts moving with same immune gait and tempo. The incidents of gender based crimes continue and humanity moves along, carrying the weight of its ugly face.

 Who are the losers in the end? Only the victim and their family members or the daughters who have been forced to live under the shackles of extra care, consciousness and vigil. The sufferers are those daughters whose world has very naturally shrinked, their movements curtailed, the wings of their dreams clipped, the minds supposed to be creative, getting occupied with feeling of fear. Being a father of a daughter I ask myself would the new laws and cosmetically sensitised social behaviour make our daughters move freely and without any fear.

 The essence of any law is not mitigating criminals but minimising crime and if such feeling brews within masses, the things can at least be hoped to improve. Unless and until the masses rise to the call of their conscience, generate and give regard to the fear of falling in their own eyes, morally educated to give regard to women whom we worship in the form of Devi or Maa, such incidents would continue. I can also feel the agony and pain of not only the daughters but the suffering and concern of the parents too.

 Any immediate and instant foolproof solution to this problem cannot be envisaged and guaranteed by anybody. Proper education and enlightenment brewing much required moral policing is the need of the hour. Regulatory policing and strict penal provisions no doubt go a long way in restricting and curbing such incidents but any kind of policing should be effectively supplemented by the overall behaviour and mannerism honouring the gender gaps made by the nature and accepted by the society since ages. Nature made biological weakness in females cannot be overlooked blindly in the light of treating the females at par with their male counterparts. The truth is harsh and not easy to digest but the fact remains that such physical weaknesses make females vulnerable and such vulnerability makes them fall prey to not only the sexual crimes but the other ones too. Late night movement of girls has always been restricted and discouraged by every household to the utmost disliking of various women organisations fighting for the equal status. But when it comes to their own behaviour the hypocrisy is visible as they are not ready to give the much preached free movement to their family members and freedom beyond a point is also discouraged by them in their own household. Socially, Women have very successfully fought to gain the economic, moral and political status where they stand today but trying to gain physical equality would prove to be against the canons of nature and should not be doctored beyond a point. Let our society rise to the desired moral levels, only then we can expect the perceptions change, bred on the solid foundation of knowledge and education, the mind set on its own accept the behavioural changes with regard to the gender gaps, till then we have to move with cautious optimism, honestly respect the gender gaps and move with wisdom and vigilance thirsted upon not only by the regulations but by our own self too.       

 Dr. SANJEEV TRIKHA