International Women’s Day: The argument continues

As the world wakes up to another International Women’s Day, the battle for women’s rights continues to gain more fervour with the next debate or the next march. But even as gender discrimination and violence against women remains an uncomfortable reality, how do we address the conflict between special group rights and individualism While some feel that for the society to take an egalitarian approach is easier said than done, there are others who say that as far as feminism is concerned, the world needs it now more than ever. But then, considering how in certain pockets, men too are standing up to fight for men’s rights, question arises if by singling out a certain category of citizens for certain rights and privileges, are the rights of others infringed. In this age of identity politics, we seem miles away from arriving at a middle ground. We gleaned some insights and opinions from four distinct voices — mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association, Kavita Krishnan, filmmaker and writer Paromita Vohra and Hussain Ali, secretary of an NGO that fights for men’s rights. Here’s what they had to say:

Devdutt Pattanaik, author, mythologist: The concept of equality feminism (women must have same rights as men) is different from liberation feminism (women and men must have the opportunity to make choices and take responsibility for the consequences). The former form of feminism that seems very popular today leads to entrapment as it is based on comparison that always leads to frustration. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism with its foundation on Karma, in my view, align with the latter form of feminism where the key is to find the power within, rather than seek power from without.

Paromita Vohra, writer, filmmaker: Feminism is very relevant because this is the way through which we can re-conceptualise gender, we re-conceptualise the nature of power, we re-conceptualise what kinds of new relationships we can have between the public and the private, between the different genders. It's about equality in which everybody is different but equal. So at a philosophical level, feminism is really important, because it helps you to re-conceptualise all these categories. Also, because we live in a world where the default setting is whatever men have done and to re-conceptualise that setting will take a long time. It's only when we get there, can we start saying that we don't need feminism.

Kavita Krishnan, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association: How can we even question the relevance of feminism when all around us we are surrounded by discrimination, abuse and violence against women. Women are still routinely not paid the same as men for the same job - and not just in India. Global capitalism is also actually shopping all over the world to establish its industries in societies, which are more discriminatory because they want patriarchal discrimination to act as labour controls. This is in India, in China, in Bangladesh and all over the world. So how on earth can we say that feminism is irrelevant or redundant In fact, it is more relevant than ever. our politicians routinely— not just in India, but even in the US — are indulging in abuse against women and sexist comments. Domestic violence, sexual violence are all massive problems. So in such times, how can the idea of justice and equality for women be redundant I find it very strange why a March 8 discussion should be framed in such a manner I don’t really understand. I can’t think of a single place in the world where discrimination and violence against women is not a reality.

MEN SPEAK:

Hussain Ali, secretary, Vaastav Foundation: We’re not anti-woman here. But also do not believe that for you to live, I need to die. We would rather live together and equally. The problem is that there are no laws for men. And many a times, the laws are misused. We appeal to have a general neutral law. Crime has no gender. We function under the umbrella Save India Family group. Our task is to provide support system to those who need it. As far domestic violence is concerned, there is no monitoring system for violence against men. First of all, if a man goes to the police station to complain, he will be ridiculed and then sent back home, because there are no such laws that can be of help.