Women’s Day Should Not Be a Power Booster of Male Female Dichotomy

• Testosterone theory and Biological differences[1]: Unproven theories, like the testosterone hypothesis, have long been used to justify gender discrimination, particularly in employment. Even some respected scientists and corporate leaders have upheld these ideas, perpetuating workplace biases. A prime example is Google’s James Damore report, which claimed biological differences explain the lack of women in tech. This kind of pseudoscience fuels gender inequality, making it harder for women to access opportunities they rightfully deserve.
  

• Cultural Taboos and Systemic Discrimination

  Look at India—where the sex ratio remains skewed at 940 females per 1000 males. Why? Because deep-seated cultural biases make many families prefer male children. Women, across caste and religion, have historically been placed lower than even the least privileged men.

  Throughout history, women have been treated as slaves, commodities, and spoils of war. Across cultures, female bodies have been controlled—through oppressive customs, forced marriages, and systemic denial of education and financial independence. No matter the country or era, women in leadership remain rare. And yet, this suppression is disguised as ‘tradition’ and ‘culture.’

• Customary Practices That Violate Women’s Rights

  Across the world, many cultural practices continue to strip women of autonomy. One of the most horrific is female genital mutilation (FGM), which persists in parts of Africa, Asia, and even Europe—despite being a gross violation of human rights.

In many societies, women’s virginity is obsessively policed, and labour pain is glorified as a ‘necessary suffering.’ These outdated customs dehumanize women, forcing them into roles of submission and endurance rather than autonomy and choice.

• Menstruation and Motherhood: The Sacred and the Stigmatized

  Menstruation is still treated as impure in many cultures. Across religions and regions, menstruating women are excluded from public spaces, denied basic rights, and shamed for a biological process. This stigma leads to malnutrition, poor hygiene, and a lack of education for millions of young girls.

  Motherhood, too, is weaponized. Society paints mothers as self-sacrificing figures, glorifying their struggles while refusing to support them. Women are conditioned to believe that suffering for their children and families is their ultimate purpose. This ‘divinization’ of motherhood ensures that women remain trapped in cycles of unpaid labor and emotional exhaustion.

• The Demonization of Feminism

  The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of feminism. Feminists are often portrayed as aggressive, man-hating, or disruptive, making it easy for society to dismiss their demands for equality. Misrepresenting feminism to younger generations ensures that misogyny and patriarchal ideas persist, creating a cycle of resistance to change.