The world is viciously cruel to some, and to some, it’s a delightful playground. Though many factors shape our perception as to how we view this world in the bigger picture, there’s one that’s the most fundamental. It’s our identity and orientation.
The oppression of women in our society has existed since the stone age when men first started to control the means of production. It is nothing new, and unlike the ideas of that period, it has not been cleansed by the waves of enlightenment due to it being fundamentally etched in the mindsets of billions.
Throughout the world, women face some form of discrimination. The inequality exists, but its magnitude differs across societies. We like to think that women are liberated from the shackles of this patriarchal society but we should also keep in mind that it was only in the 20th century when women became part of the voting franchise in Europe. Moreover, the United States is yet to see its first woman president in the Oval. The situation in the eastern hemisphere has still not become liveable for women because of the existence of inequality, pre-defined roles, harassment and countless other social evils against them. Furthermore, this is only the tip of the iceberg, this systemic oppression runs deep and influences the lives of women on a deeply personal level, where they are not allowed to freely voice their opinions, effectively take part in the workforce, and in many parts of the world, to even leave their homes without 'permission.'
Most women perceive this world as a battlefield, where they have to act with extreme caution to survive. Moreover, like a foot-soldier, they are not allowed to act independently, and their liberty is a distant afterthought in a society. They are seen as objects who should look attractive and presentable at all times. Their looks are the only thing that matters with respect to their existence. Their thoughts hold little to no value and if they try to challenge their predefined existence, society perceives them as amoral and delusional.
Even though different movements across the world have helped women lead better lives, the world as a whole still needs to fundamentally reshape its collective consciousness and accept that women who are equal in numbers to men, must also be granted equal and unconditional freedom. And it will only be possible if people highlight the injustices faced by women in our society. Additionally, it should not just be restricted to women but the umbrella of equality must feature everyone who feels marginalized in today's world.
Breaking the Barriers is an upcoming story that attempts to shatter the walls erected by society to suppress the voices of women and other minorities. It is the story of Shanaya and Riya, two individuals who lead vastly different lives. Riya feels powerless and timid, owing to the endless pressure and stereotypical expectations of society. Meanwhile, Riya lives with unwavering confidence. She gets everything she wants until she falls desperately in love with Riya. Now, they have to traverse the onerous path to become one, as the world around them tries to suffocate their existence.
The author of this upcoming piece of fiction, Anusha Dhulipala is an Indian who resides in California. She has profoundly observed the contrasting differences between the two worlds. And she has vowed to bring the social atrocities against women and other minorities into the light. Through her writing, she wants to highlight the wretched and often inescapable prison of pre-defined gender roles imposed by the deeply rotten society and to inspire women across the world to speak up and ultimately make the world liveable for everyone.
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