Many said that women of Manipur are very sensitive, hardworking and respectful. History itself is the example of their strong willpower, courage and unity. Ima Keithel, the market runs exclusively by women stands as the epitome of their courage and hard work. The famous ‘Nupi Lal’ (women’s war) is still the talk of the world.
To be born as a woman in Manipuri society is supposedly a matter of pride. Many had proved and some even reach the top of the world. The government too has not left any stone unturned to empower the women of today’s society. Much has been discussed and the talk about man and woman in equal status is still a hot topic not only for our society but across the country. It will be hard for someone outside our society to believe that there are obscure and oblivious problems of our women in the contemporary Manipuri society.
It is at the juncture that the status of women of present day Manipur has been questioned. Besides, all the historic reorganisation on the role of the women, it is not sure whether they enjoy the equal privilege with the men?
I am borne, brought up and living in a patriarchal society where women have to do all the household chores whereas men are not supposed to even clean the utensils they have used. Funny, we are living in 21st century and our society is still far from accepting equality between men and women. My society says girls cannot come home late but boys can; girls are treated like the luxurious items and so they have to stay at home. There are many girls in our society who do not get proper education because their parents think it is worthless to spend money on their education as they would leave to their respected groom’s house after getting married. My mother still cries when she thinks of her past – her parents didn’t send her to school for she had to cook food at home. Things have been improved a little now, there are many educated women who go to work but within certain boundaries.
My parents get upset when my brother comes home late but when I come home late the society upsets my parents. I also wish to go for movies with friends and hang out with them, Oops I forgot this is not America, like my brother says. Just sometimes back I went for a musical night with my friends and as it was late I didn’t go back home and decided to stay at one of my friend’s place. My friends also felt insecure to go back home at 10.00 pm and so we all decided to stay at a hotel and ironically no hotels welcomed the four lone girls at 10.00 pm. We felt like aliens in our own society. Luckily we got a hotel opened after searching for one hour and we got a small room for two where we all squeezed in. It was an incredible experience. We wouldn’t have to stay at the hotel only if our society accepts the status of girls equal to boys.
There is no rule written in the Indian constitution that women have to do all the household works but it is written that men and women should have equal rights. But it is little disappointing that our society do not accept men and women equally. When I come home after work, used utensils await my return for me to wash them. I complain to no one but those mindsets who created the differences. I do hope there will be some changes in our society not may be immediately but in near future.
Image Courtesy: mohamedghilan.com
