Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

March 8, ‘Women’s day’. The day dedicated to my favourite species on this planet
Just another day
By Just Another Guy
‘Women’s day’ has been traditionally associated with the silent (and sometimes not so silent) revolution by women of earning their place as equal partners in the world order. Thus, the ‘day’ is more often than not associated with ‘Women’s rights’.

I personally am totally for women’s rights. By this I mean that I support any action for the empowerment of women in the bid to create an equal playing field between the genders. However, that is as far as I go. I cannot agree with most ideas mooted nowadays like special quotas and preference being given to women. Special protection for women... yes. Equal access to opportunities... yes. Special privileges for pregnant women…most certainly. Reverse discrimination… NO.

One might argue that without a little ‘extra push’ to ‘kick start’ things, the entire process becomes meaningless. I beg to differ. I don’t subscribe to both extremes of ‘Men on Top’ or ‘Women on Top’. I believe very strongly in the fact that it is the lack of interest by women in women’s rights that hinders the implementation of women’s rights. Most women prefer to be in their ‘comfort zone’ and not rock the boat. I also believe that women’s rights are not only violated by men; the rivalry and jealousy within the female of the species is a contributing factor for women’s rights not being given due recognition.

Of course, an article on ‘Women’s day’ would not be complete without due recognition given to the emerging modern-day woman. Those who have run the race with their male counterparts and can hold their own. Asked for no quarter and none was given. However, it must be noted that they are a minority. In this regard I empathise with the female of the species. Overcoming the unseen obstacle is far harder than the more obvious one. The sad story of most Sri Lankan women, in my opinion, is that they are under the closely guarded roost of their parents most of their lives.

What is more unfortunate is that they break away from this by getting married and then find themselves under the roost of their husband – a case where the ‘fire exit’ leads straight to the fire. Of course, dear members of the parental world, I too would not be the most liberal of parents considering society today, but just a little understanding would help. Not all guys are out to rob ‘daddy’s little girl’, trust me, I don’t want that responsibility till I am at least forty. It’s just that I don’t think the epitaph of women in Sri Lanka should be, ‘Old woman, old woman what have you done with your days?

I raised a child, I was a wife, but in my dreams I still go running wild’ (Joshua Kadison) The human race has successfully dedicated nearly every day of our calendar to issues and worthy causes (except in the case of World Temperance Day). Such days are meant for a lot of talk, even more patting of backs and visualising a better future.

‘Women’s day’ – I really see no point to it. ‘Women’s rights’, then becomes just another issue vying for its place in the day culture. ‘Women’s rights’, this I am all for, but their rights can extend up to my nose.

As for the women in Sri Lanka, I’m on your side. The situation is not the greatest and the members of my race don’t exactly make it easy (girls: note how I distance myself… hint, hint). So, in the words of Oprah Winfrey, ‘You Go Girl!

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