Importance of respecting and protecting our women

RADHAKRISHNAN PILLAI

 Bhishma, the warrior hero of Mahabharata, had once advised Yudhishtira: "A society that does not respect women will perish." It was this lack of respect towards the fairer sex that caused the two great wars in our Hindu epics – the 18-day battle in Mahabharata itself after Draupati was humiliated in front of all men and, in Ramayana, the war in Lanka when Sita was kidnapped and taken there by Ravana.
    Even Chanakya refers to the priority women should enjoy in any emergency:
"From a dangerous situation he should move away with effort, after removing the womenflock" (7.5.46).
    In other words, even when one has to run away from a disaster or a dangerous situation – he should do so only after rescuing women. You may ask: Where is the need for such lessons when there's so much gender equality?
    Well, ask your own female friends and relatives whether they think equality has come in totally, or harassment towards them has ended completely.
    Base your own decision on their answer. And if you believe a change in mindsets is a must, read on to see how we can respect and protect women in our daily lives:
1) IN OUR WORK PLACES
Today, the number of working women has increased in all areas. Be it in the field of business, education or civil services.
    All of us have to interact with women. Remember that men and women think differently. It's a basic psychological difference.
    When men and women work on a common project together, they bring in different perspectives. Now if you are the boss, see to it that there is a gender mix in every project. If you are just an employee, inculcate not only a respect towards women but also a receptiveness to their point of views.
2) AT OUR HOMES
While a house is incomplete without a lady, the women in our family also have talents that need to be given wings.
    Identify it and give freedom to explore – whether it's our daughter, wife, sister or mother.
3) AS A NATION
Even though women have proved themselves in every field, we still have a long way to go. Just look at the amount female infanticides still taking place, a low girl literacy, prevailing practice of dowry, etc.
    No social work can be complete till women are empowered. We refer to our country as "Mother India", but hardly allow her to have any daughters.
    Swami Vivekananda had rightly said: "Educate the girl child and the nation will awaken."
(The author is a 'strategic management' trainer and consultant, and is the Director of SPM Foundation, the vision of which is to bring back ancient Indian knowledge in modern day applications. He can be emailed at rchanakyapillai@spmfoundation.in)