New Age Feminism - (Dissecting the Hypocrisy in Indian mindset)

White Hat- Facts and Figures
By- Prateek Kumar

The term Feminism was coined by Charles Fourier in 1890’s from the French word “feminisme”, which means uplifting the situation of women and helping them overcome the suppression they have faced for centuries and to provide them equal rights of freedom and speech.

But as the society is developing the very much existence of feminism is overshadowed by the new age feminism wherein women can not only overlap their miserable circumstances but can also fight back vigorously and valiantly. The upliftment of women started in late nineteenth century, first among prominent Hindu men and women and then Muslims. The reforms were formed to eradicate the system of sati, polygamy, widow remarriage, purdah, and property rights. Women started making their own associations and organizations, most important among them was the All India Women's Conference (AIWC) in 1927.In 1934, AIWC brought a bill for divorce, equality in marriage, and property rights drawn upon the nationalist rights discourse; and after independence in 1947, women were gifted constitutional equality.

In the late 1970s, independent feminist women's movements were fumed by the dismissals of cases of girls raped by police and by religiously sanctioned violations of women's human rights, the campaigns refocused on violence against women, dowry deaths, sex-selective abortions, and sati.

The Government of India is therefore resolute that an urgent action should be taken on the following:- Vigorously enforce the existing legislation relating to Crime against Women and Children, i.e., Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 and Violence against Women (Prevention) Act, 2005, Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000, the display of lascivious photographs/films on computer through internet, etc. as these are serious and punishable offences.

Feminist movements can be classified and categorized as; Black feminist movements dealing with racism with sexism; and Socialist feminist movements which believes that the most vital role for women empowerment is played by government, civil society and labor to insure social security and equality.

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Black Hat- Criticism
By- Sanjay Kumar Bissoyi 

Feminism has rocked the Indian society and has shaken its very foundation. Women today not only rub shoulders with men but have surpassed them in many other facets.

Feminism is a good concept for women empowerment and liberty. There is also the other dark side to its rosy picture. Feminists believe they are on level playing field with the men, why then the hue and cry about reservations? We know gender bias is a crime, but the crime only surfaces if it is inclined towards the men. A woman who believes in her abilities will not need the refuge of reservation, for she has the qualities that will help create her own identity.

Empowerment does not mean that women should not resort to harassment of men if their demands are not met. Often in the veil of empowerment, women henpeck men and when they don't get their way; they file a dowry harassment case and misuse the law and arm twist the facilities that are provide to them.

It may sound an aberration but men too are subject to harassment, they are sexually abused and treated badly especially in urban areas where the so called feminist virtue flowers. There are also women who are unscrupulous and establishing superiority in the name of gender equality. Such women want to have their professions and societal liberty, but they still want husbands to earn more than them, to look after them, to voice up for them against the family. This is not impartial to the men. So it doesn't mean that you enable somebody to extinguish someone.

The feminist memo is not about equivalent rights for females. It is nearby a socialist, anti-family civil movement. Feminists have emphasized for a long time to repute each woman's specific entity and the requirement of financial liberation. It could be necessary. But at the present we want some importance on the natural side of life, sex and maternity.

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Yellow Hat- Optimism/Support
By- Vibha Maru 

To begin with, what feminism actually means; it’s not about superiority or taking control and making men as subordinates. It’s merely about equality. After independence there was need for caste reservation in order to bring backward classes to the level playing field and so does feminism demand - a level playing field.

India has been hindered by its patriarchy since ages. Men created the notion of them being fit for society and women for homes. Women were, and have always been doubted about their abilities to handle world beyond the four walls. Masculinity is a factor which every XY chromosome imbibes in them. If we carefully observe a male child he would always be in this struggle to prove himself stronger than the other one, well this factor is cute enough until the stage of juvenile but can get dirty and can take face of obsession. However, if they fail to overpower world filled with people of their own kind they gradually move to people with a little less strength. They beat, they molest, they rape, and they do this heinous act just to satiate themselves about their prowess of being men- the superior beings.

There is this thin line between superiority and demanding for one’s rights. Things have changed, as women are stepping out and attaining new heights but real success can only be secured when girls from every nook and corner of the country gains the basic right as human like they get greater access to education; they get more equitable pay with men; they follow any profession (be it armed forces) without being harassed, and acquire equal rights to property.

In the present context when women are subjected to derogatory behavior every single day, feminism has today become even more necessary. India today has slumped in every category of women safety, and by shrugging off the debate will not yield results. Time is ripe to stand up and take note, as female population is the fulcrum around which a society flowers.

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Green Hat- Creative Solutions
By- Moumita Majumdar 

New age feminism hints at a practical, smarter approach and at equality, but sadly there is enough that is not the current situation. Feminist women have exorbitant demands which need to be satisfied. To understand and provide possible creative solutions for new age feminism, it is necessary that we delve deep and figure out the concept of feminism clearly. Feminism itself is a term which directly portrays a woman to be the weaker sex. Why do we need a special word? We can do without it.

We are women, but most importantly, we are human first, and for that we don’t need to have a ‘reserved’ word for others to know who we are. Media can play a huge role in propagating the true sense of new age feminism. This can be done through various legitimate campaigns that don’t fog the truth. Reservations should be completely done away with, because that just portrays women to be the weaker sex. The concept should be introduced in educational institutes through various workshops that feminism is not about women superiority but equality. Feminism when it is rigid in its equality forgets that men and women are not the same, so the psyche of the human mind needs to change.

Equal opportunities for women should be ensured at workplaces, with a common pay scale so that there is no place for any argument. Women should not misuse the power that they have been vested with. Awareness of what feminism really is should begin at the grass root levels and only then can positive changes be implemented in our society.

If these immediate steps are not taken, then Feminism can end up causing a bigger divide in our society than before. The stereotype about feminism should be banished and people should be educated about the real connotation of feminism-Equality, not superiority. Merely walking down the road holding placards and raising a hue and cry won’t help bring about in positive changes in society.

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Blue Hat- Expert Opinion
By- Suryanshi Pandey 

Ms. Meena Singh, Associate Professor (Economics), Delhi University, Member of Gender Sensitization Committee of MLN college

Q: How is feminism in India different from other countries?

A: Feminism in India has a different picture altogether. When in 21st century, in west it is about women’s political equality and acquiring prominent positions at par with men, in India it is still about domestic equality and eroding the social stigma stained onto the women’s stature.

Q: Why the term ‘feminism.’ Why can’t it be about gender equality? 

A: How can we talk about equality when it is not being accepted by a large section of our society? We are still plagued with Patriarchal notion where dowry system, honor killing, domestic violence dominate. Gender equality can be heard when there’s a mutual understanding of the term ‘equality.’

Q: There have been cases of exploitation laws by women. What do you have to say about it? 

A: Every five minutes a woman in India is compelled to visit a police station and report a case of cruelty. I agree, there have been cases where women have exploited laws but one must see the frequency. The former cases are more rampant than later. It is not about the cases, it is about the percentage of such fake cases filed which is less in comparison to the real ones.

Q: Is the patriarchal society only responsible for women suppression in India? 

A: To a lot of extent, yes! If men understand that we too enjoy equal status, professionally and socially; then only we can expect the discussion on gender equality, which you have asked me earlier.

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Red Hat- Public Opinion
By- Erick Massey

Kritika Sethi, Sub-editor-auto, NDTV

Q: What is your opinion on new age feminism? 

A: New-age feminism seems to have become synonymous with 'man-hating'. It is no more about equality; the word feminist has been reduced to exactly that - a word. 

Q: What are the positive and negative aspects of feminism India? 

A: The only positive I see is the growing awareness about women's rights. Negative is that men are subjected to atrocities in the name of feminism.

Q: What possible measures can be taken for further improvements in this regard? 

A: It is basically education, we seem to have enough motivation, even if it is just a charade, Education will help turn motivation in to action.

Q: Any personal experience when you felt any sort of discrimination in terms of views and preference? 

A: I work in an industry that is dominated by men; I am often met by comments like "It is rare to see a woman interested in this industry". My opinions were dismissed without due consideration. If one goes on to accept the same thing when expressed by a man, it is hard not to feel belittled.


Rahul Thakur, Studying Defense and Tactical studies, J.N.U.

Q: Do you think feminism has been effective in playing a vital role? 

A: It has, eventually the progressions have been really good and the improving status of equality and women rights are the examples.

Q: Do you think male atrocities still exists even after the awareness? 

A: Yes, to some extent. The society is changing and so the behavior of people towards women sharing the same stage with men.

Q: How to make sure that the power is used in prudent manner? 

A: It is possible by targeting on substantial steps rather than just discussions and paying heed to common stereotypes.

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Introduction

Prateek Kumar, 22, Graduate in English Literature from Delhi University, Pursuing Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Sanjay Kumar Bissoyi, 22, Graduate in Sociology from Behrampur University, Pursuing Diploma in Odiya Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Vibha Maru, 21, Graduate in B.Com (Hons.) from Rajasthan university, Pursuing Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Moumita Majumdar, 22, Graduate in English literature from Calcutta University, Worked with Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Pursuing Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Suryanshi Pandey, 21, Graduate in Chemistry (Hons.) from Delhi University, former radio jockey at YoVani (All India Radio), Pursuing Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

Erick Massey, 23, Graduate in B.Sc from Delhi University,  Pursuing Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal

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