Dr. Urfan Ahmad dar
Well has been said that the Heaven is beneath the feet of mother. So, the word “mother” is the word of happiness. Women who live their entire life for others, first of all a daughter for her parents, a wife for the care of her husband and at last a mother for her children.
It is to be said that the every moment of her life is attached with her nears and dears. We observe that a very clear goal has been set for a daughter. She has to grow up, first and foremost, as a true and ardent soul. And then she has to be educated, trained and groomed to become a responsible wife and a loving, tending nourishing mother.
This is her sacred role, and all her virtues are judged in this context. Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) says that a daughter is just as dear as a son is – a gift from Allah to be loved and admired. Imam Ali (a.s) says, “Be kind and considerate to a woman; she is a tender flower, and not a slave in the household.”
Whatever be the clamour of the modern age one fact remains undisputed, a women herself feels secure when outside. Swami Vivekananda says, “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly with a single wing.”
Perhaps, the best role in a woman’s life is that of mother. The arms of a mother, her nourishing and ample bosoms, warm and affectionate lap, wherein a child rests with the feelings of security never to be experienced again, all are considered to be important and equally sacred contributions to the formation of a healthy society. Islam views a woman as a human being in no way inferior to a man.
Unlike all other schools of thought which have existed, and unlike many of its contemporary and preceding religions, it does not accept a woman as a woe to mankind. Women in a country like India are just seen as someone to look after the home and bear children and thus the treatment they get is below par with their male counterparts. In other words, they are treated as second-class citizens.
While the men folk are involved in agriculture or employment, the women and girls are mostly involved in household chore, and don’t have any say in the family affairs. Excluded from receiving higher education and entirely dependent on their male counterparts, they have to bear the brunt of most of the evils like dowry, domestic violence etc. Being a patriarchal society, women and girls are not allowed to step out their houses which lead to lower educational status, low confidence to face the world.
In view of the financial constraints that a family faces, empowering them through skill-building programs would give them more avenues to earn their living and to become self-reliant. Such programs will also help them to raise their voice against the ill treatment accorded to them within the family or outside.
All these clearly indicate that there is an imperative need to find out some alternative ways like self-employment through skills-building which seems to be one of the effective ways to address the burning gender issues. It implies that women, with inherent talents and having inner urge to fine-tune them to make them sources of their livelihood, indeed need some encouragement and help from various agencies working for the very cause.—Courtesy: GT.
