The image of women being caught in a stifled existence does not come as a surprise to most of us. In many cultures, they continue to be the less privileged, their basic needs unaddressed, and their ambitions and goals put on the back burner.
What can effect a transformation? Where does one start? Perhaps, with an individual or a small group, and then replicate the success on a larger canvas.
Is it not interesting that a country which has had a woman Prime Minister, way back in the 1960s and 1970s, still runs a campaign to save and educate the girl child? Notably, it is only in recent years that many a so-called developed nation started having women at the helm of affairs. What has gone wrong and where? This inquiry merits a good brainstorming. There are several challenges we all know and have enough data on. So, can we get into action mode now? Can we put our strengths to use?
Just a few months ago, I happened to meet Srishti Bakshi, who was on her mission to walk a 100 crore steps starting from Kanyakumari (in South India) to Srinagar (in North India) in a duration of 260 days to create awareness on women issues. She is a ‘Champion of Change’ of the United Nations’ eponymous initiative. A high-profile corporate woman who lived in Hong Kong, Bakshi was deeply affected by the incident that happened in India in Bulandshahr and decided to do something all by herself. Though she had a good network and an illustrious pedigree, it was not easy for her to get started. Nevertheless, she accomplished her objective: reaching out to urban and rural women across the country and sensitizing them—and men too—to numerous issues; this included talking and educating them about their safety, hygiene, emotions, identity, and their life at large.
This story is from the September - October 2018 edition of The Smart Manager.
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This story is from the September - October 2018 edition of The Smart Manager.
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