We hear about it almost every day, women mistreated, exploited, or harmed in ways that seem to leave lasting scars or worse, both seen and unseen. These aren’t just random news stories; they’re symptoms of a deeply ingrained societal issue that affects women across the world. Whether it’s a problematic workplace environment, domestic conflicts, or a horrifying act of violence, women are constantly juggling a world that often fails to recognize their worth.

Let’s look into a workplace setting. It’s supposed to be a place where talent and hard work shine, but somehow it often turns into a competitive sport where women are left scrambling for recognition. Imagine being told you need to work ten times harder just to get half the credit. It’s not about unequal pay alone; it’s about the bizarre expectation that a woman’s professional contributions are second only to her domestic duties.

So, when did excelling at your job become a luxury rather than a part of one’s general job expectation? Is there a secret rulebook somewhere that suggests women should choose between professional success and family responsibilities?

Shouldn’t it be standard practice to value talent and dedication without attaching random outdated gender expectations?

Now, let’s talk about household responsibilities. It looks like in some homes, the bar for showing love and respect is literally in hell. Doing the dishes becomes some sort of an act of heroism. Men helping around the house cooking, cleaning, or even just not leaving their socks on the floor are considered extraordinary.

Really? Is basic human decency now a heroic act? If sharing household chores is considered a display of love and affection, then what do we call it when men don’t even bother to do their share? Oh yes, we call it “the norm.” Unfortunately.

Then there’s the entertainment industry, which often feels like it’s stuck in a time warp where women are either reduced to stereotypes or given roles that revolve around their relationships with men.

Take the movie Barbie, for example. It was hailed as a groundbreaking film for its portrayal of women’s independence and empowerment, but my oh my, how many men rolled their eyes and scoffed at the idea of watching it? Like, as if the concept of women being central to their own stories was too revolutionary for some.

Imagine if we had more films where women’s plotlines didn’t revolve around their romantic entanglements but focused instead on their own ambitions and achievements. Key word, Imagine.

Respect for women shouldn’t be an occasional plot twist, it should be the standard. But we keep seeing ridiculous narratives that reinforce outdated gender norms, like as though that’s somehow “progressive”.

And then there’s the prominent and threatening rape culture, a topic that’s so entrenched in societal norms. The Kolkata rape case in India where a young medical intern by the name Moumita Debnath, dedicated to saving lives was brutally raped, practically proving that even those who serve society, saving a life are not spared from its darkest evils. Then there’s the Bangalore murder case, where a young woman from Bihar, by the name Kriti Kumari, who was residing in a PG in Bangalore was killed in cold blood by her roommate’s ex-boyfriend. She wasn’t even part of their relationship, yet she paid the price for his unchecked rage.

Why do these horrific incidents feel like having the same nightmare night after night?

Women are told to be cautious, change their behavior, and somehow protect themselves from becoming victims. But when will society start holding those men/perpetrators/predators and the people behind the scenes involved, accountable for their actions instead of placing the burden on women to avoid being harmed? we have to stop assuming that adjusting women’s behavior will solve the problem and start focusing on teaching respect and consent as basic human decency.

And you know what’s absolutely revolting? After a rape case, roughly 70% of people crawl onto inappropriate websites just to search for the victim’s name. Because clearly, prying with disgusting curiosity about an incident like that is the pinnacle of human decency.

So, can we please stop asking women to walk on eggshells and start teaching men to respect personal boundaries?

It’s about time society learned that consent isn’t negotiable, and a woman’s right to safety is not a privilege but a basic expectation.

Taking out loans in someone’s name and draining their savings could potentially kill someone but some people seem to take pride in scamming innocent people. It’s like discovering your trusted partner is also a part-time con artist, and suddenly, financial security or freedom feels like a dream that may never come true. Women who are manipulated into financial ruin by partners they trust are left to pick up the pieces alone, they wear their heart on their sleeve for these people that are nothing short of manipulative narcissists, then get taken advantage of and often left facing debt and emotional scars.

Oh and the best part? Society often stigmatizes the women for being victims of such fraud, as if somehow they should have known better. Isn’t it just delightful when the main course of betrayal comes with a side of societal judgment?

At the heart of all these issues is a common theme: the lack of respect for women as individuals with their own rights, desires, and autonomy. This is where we must begin to make change. We need to address the root of the problem by teaching people to value empathy, respect, and consent.

Too many of them have the emotional intelligence of a teaspoon, and that clearly has to change. It’s high time that we start holding men accountable for their actions and teaching them to be more emotionally available and respectful partners. Literally explain it to them like they’re 3 years old.

Respect isn’t just about not harming women, it’s about actively supporting them, listening to them, and treating them as equals in every sense of the word. It’s about fostering an environment where women don’t have to constantly fight for their rights because those rights are and should be inherently respected.

Demanding respect and equal treatment is some vague and otherworldly idea now.

Think about it, maybe just maybe if we stopped rolling our eyes and started listening, we’d realize that this isn’t about women taking over the world or making men obsolete, it’s about creating a society where everyone, regardless of gender, is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

I just think it’s so funny how the idea of women wanting equality is still somehow controversial in the 21st century. And no, we’re not going to burn down man caves or those precious PlayStations. We just want a world where being kind, respectful, and empathetic isn’t seen as “feminine” or weak, but as the baseline for being a decent human being.

“Just a little further, dear” is what women tell themselves every day as they push through a world that often feels stacked against them. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s high time we break the toxic cycle of enduring struggle when it isn’t necessary.

Every single person needs to be taught respect in every aspect of life. Raise the next generation to understand the basics of empathy, respect, and consent. To all the parents out there, try not to push your opinions and ambitions too hard on your child. Listen to them, understand them, and offer a sense of security. Trust them, and they’re more likely to trust you, or, they might just rebel and end up in some situations where you definitely won’t be saying “shabash beta”.

Foster a culture where these values are not just baseless ideals but practiced realities. Only then can we move toward a future where peace and equality are the norm, not just a distant dream.

We need to build a world where women don’t have to keep pushing through pain and hardship but can instead find peace and equality as their rightful due.

A world where women can find their “further” not as a destination of endless struggle, but as a beautiful gateway to something better, brighter, and more fulfilling.