"I am happy that Bangladesh Prime Minister, despite being a woman,
has declared zero tolerance for terrorism," were the exact words out of
which the phrase "despite being a woman"
Having said the above words PM Narendra Modi wouldn’t have ever thought
that he would
Raise the eyebrows worldwide and possibly might get literally trolled
and chided in social media where he actually has a big support...Let’s forget
about the other media platforms?
During his recent Bangladesh visit PM Narendra Modi with his
great oratory skills, while making out a profound speech used the phrase
"Despite Being a Woman" to eulogize and extol his Bangladeshi
counterpart Sheikh Hasina on her resolve to counter terrorism.
Honestly I was quite stunned when the phrase "Despite being a
woman" acquired a centre stage in Media that include all (print,
electronic and social) few days back.
I'm not here to defend PM Narendra Modi because I think as an aspiring world
leader he should better be careful on his choice of words especially while on
an International podium. I mean the above sentence could have been much better
had he said: "I am inspired with the audacity of Bangladesh PM on her zero
tolerance to Terrorism"….for Example.
I mean he should have said something without mentioning the gender of
his Female counter part. I think the speech writer of our prime minister should
take a note of this for future vocalizations.
However what surprised me "Despite being a woman" is now
termed as a stinking phrase that dispenses the underlining sexist, misogynist
and male chauvinistic narrow-mindedness in the subconscious minds of our male
counter parts or society.
Really!!
If it is so, then why I never learnt to take offence from it? Believe
me, I can't count how many times I have been referred with the above phrase so
far in life…and you know what… every time I thought it was a bit of
appreciation for me.
Let me mention few personal instances where I have been mentioned with
the above remark. During my school days I used to be a very active child. Along
with studies, I used to perform very well in all other activities of the
school. In our classroom or in assembly, so many times my teachers and my
Principal had said: "Despite being a girl, she is outperforming other
students in the class as well as in the school."
OMG! Were they actually insulting me for my gender? I never thought like
that because I felt it was their appreciations for me….was I wrong!!!
During college days also every time I was mentioned with the above idiom
"despite being a woman (girl)" with my every achievement, be it
college quiz competition, debate, story writing etc. And every time I was quite
motivated with the admiration. Should I have taken it as insulting?
Once my HOD (Head of the Department) even said it in little exaggerated
way before the external examiner who was supposed to take our practical exams.
When the examiner was supposed to ask me viva questions, my HOD said,
"Despite being a girl (woman) she can beat anyone in Badminton" while
referring my recently won Badminton Championship in college, to him. And guess
what…I topped the practical marks while no serious question was asked to me.
Probably the examiner was more impressed with my badminton achievements
like that of my HOD. And you know what, I actually felt flattered with what my
HOD said. But never thought, "Was he dispensing something reeking sexism
in his words?"
Let’s come to some general illustrations. Now, what about those myriad
instances where we have been taught that "despite being a woman" Rani
Laxmi Bai had given nightmares to British administrations, Madam Curie got Nobel
Prize in Physics etc? Were they teaching us through utter misogynist mentions?
And recently Malala Yousufzai, who fought against her assaulter who was
opposing girl's education, was mentioned with the above phrase numerous times!
Were they all sexist quotes?
What about Shakti Mohan and Rajasmita Kar for whom the same phrase was
used when they emerged as winners in the TV reality dance show, Dance India Dance. Were those mentions meant
that women cannot dance??
Few months there was news of Meerut Woman Pinky who fought with goons in
a UP street alone to save her husband. Wasn’t it something like “despite being
a woman she outdistance the goons” kind matter in it? Was it a sexist mention??
On a different note, I have heard Anup Soni on several occasions, making
the above remark while reporting a Crime committed by a woman in Crime Petrol,
Sony Tv. For example “Ek Mahila Hone ke Babjud itna vayanak hatya kaise kar
shakti hai? (Despite being a woman how could she commit such a violent crime??)
Now in the above sentence doesn’t it mean that women in general are less
likely to commit vicious crimes? So was it appreciations or sexist mentions???
Recently the results for various board examinations were out. Many news
papers, online platforms came out with a head line "Girls out shine
boys". Doesn't it sound something like "despite being girls, they
outshone boys"?
OMG! Were they actually denigrating girls' performances while offensive of
their gender with classic chauvinism? Then there should have been a national
outcry on it…Right! But I don’t think anything happened like that.
Even for Congress President Sonia Gandhi the above remark was so many
times used to glorify her for heading the oldest political party of India. Let’s
not discuss How Late PM Indira Gandhi was mentioned with above remark…in fact
some time as the only “Man” in her cabinet or Dr. Kiran Bedi despite being a
woman, she became an IPS officer.
After PM Modi delivered that speech in Dhaka, the Washington Post came
out with a head line "India's Modi Just Delivered World's Worst Complement".
(I really wonder why despite being the leading nation of the world, why
USA never had a woman president so far!)
Worst Complement? I mean if not insult or sexism…then it should be worst
complement? Does it mean that during all these years whenever the above phrase
was used to compliment women, it was actually a worst complement for them? Honestly…it
makes me feel a bit of cynicism at all time high.
“Despite being a woman” was a group of words perhaps were coined to
appreciate those women who despite being in a men’s world had outclass them
(men). It was always mentioned in a context where women have proved their potency
where they were less expected.
.
.
Yes…I agree while being an appreciating phrase for the women's
achievements, it also reflects how time and again womenfolk had been made to
suffer by the society for being a woman. They were traditionally discriminated for
their legitimate rights. It just goes like "when people say you look younger
than your age…they also mention your right age as well."
"Despite being a women" always reflected the truth of stinking
side of the society with fetid sexism and discrimination against the fairer
sex but it was never been a derogatory, sexist or worst complement kind remark to
any woman so far…I feel.
At Last, had it not been Narendra Modi, the scenario would have
been different…I guess.
