Safety, Rights, Empowerment

I’m sure most of us celebrated March 8 - International Women’s Day. Few of my friends refused to accept the wishes quoting the worsening state of womanhood. Coincidently, a lot of recent talks over wire were on Women’s safety. Women rights is another aspect prevailing since a few years. Deep dive, it’s about empowerment IMHO. I'm going to take only one item for this post. Let me stick to the sad truth of money being an authority (at least in the empowerment context). It is equally sad to realize that most women who earn now-a-days aren’t empowered enough to manage their earnings, savings, or investments or some don’t even have a say. I’m trying to look for an answer for this stand. I think it goes back to the upbringing and the societal constitution. In most of our families, men manage the finances. In other words, Men are earners and women are spenders. There is no overt discrimination I believe; but there lies a serious problem. The so-called uber-modern societal setup has also been a reason for this problem. Look at most of the advertisements – women are portrayed as spenders buying something every possible way sometimes even without an absolute need - thanks to the eCOMMERCE (eShopping) fever – they do it just with a click. While most men are presented to be decision makers taking some investment decisions and securing their families, some men are shown spending money buying something for their wives. There are certain advertisements which present women as wise, smart, and sensible – but those are more likely to be for nutrition or FMCG products. I will stay away from the cosmetic world. The movies aren't a spare. How many  can you list that bring women in the true form? But I wonder when the world will change this perspective toward women (may that be sooner, please!) If the social media has such beliefs and keeps expressing that, then the empowerment I wish for is in question. I wish there could be a council to grant approval for such ads – but let me not ask for stars.

I also know of quite a few women who take a step back when it comes to investment or money management. Ma’ams in finance, please excuse :) Money, if believed to be the power, doesn’t stay so if only earned but managed as well. There’re so many ways to learn new things in this connected world, we know what to do but we just don’t do it. Let us begin with that change. I also must say that there is an ample opportunity for every men to realize their part in the CHANGE.

Time to wake up to the truth and stop supporting the false and bloated societal traps.