Female Bonding is on the rise globally.
Globally, the winds are changing in favor of female bonding. As a DEI advocate, I am happy to be part of this transformation. More women are taking the lead as a result of this transformation. Conversations are shifting toward serious matters–business strategies, economics, communications structures, investments, politics, financial inclusion, etc. Women are actively participating at all levels as against the earlier period where they were `allowed to talk‘ about family, children’s education, or domestic issues.
Well-intentioned partners and customers continue to plan women-centric events centered around special days, but the theme and concept in all likelihood is not restricted to beauty and childcare. Conversely, work pressure is one major reason for women to connect and find solace, the financial freedom that is achieved also makes women realize the need for self-care-both physically and mentally.
I acknowledge that I am among the few extremely fortunate women who have had easy access to both employment and education. Furthermore, I do not believe that there is an urban-rural divide in India or anywhere else in the world. Regardless, though, I am seeing a shift—a positive shift in female bonding. In addition to taking care of their she-brethren, more women are entering the workforce, more girls are graduating, and more women are pursuing careers in areas that were previously dominated by men. Take, for example, Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, a recent proposal to the Defence Ministry to make the nomenclature of various ranks gender-neutral. This initiative aligns with the recent induction of women sailors and is a positive shift toward inclusivity.
This camaraderie is giving women the platform to voice concerns (which are unique to women) and get help. Discussions about sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc are no longer closed-door chats. These platforms empower women to ask for support, seek therapy, and make the brave decision to leave their partner—sometimes even with their kids in tow!
As a result, many new-age women are more aware of their rights and are courageously refusing to participate in issues/things that they are not convinced about. This change is the result of several interrelated factors. Women no longer feel embarrassed to demonstrate their ambition, determination, and ability to overcome any obstacle to achieve their goals.
I have learned from my many conversations that things are changing—even in Bharat—very, very slowly. The way women manage their finances and strive for financial independence is changing thanks to corporate social responsibility initiatives, NGOs, and co-ops. It is imperative to incorporate these women into society, support them in maintaining their careers, and help them educate their children.
As time progresses, the urban-rural divide will narrow. But I am sure that urban women can learn a lot about resilience, cooperation, and cooperation from our rural counterparts. Let’s take a pause and think about not just the stories that our maternal/paternal grandmothers told, but look closely at how they managed to stay independent in closely-guarded joint families.
I believe there should be more female leaders in the workforce. In addition to providing for and raising their families’ standard of living, their empathy can help society as a whole. This could be a step toward closing the gender gap.
The opportunities are expanding. The possibilities are endless.