Women- The Real Warriors of Pandemic
The meaning of ‘equal’ is to treat others with the same respect and dignity. If a person wanted to treat equally first, he/she should treat others with the same mindset. Then the others too will treat them in the same manner. But this principle is lacked in case of women. Though, it has been taught by the elderly people ‘to give respect and take respect’. All people are learnt to give respect but mostly it was implied on the women. Women are taught to be selfless, dedicative and sacrificing nature as always and to compromise first, whenever needed. It made them to feel as fragile and made others to treat them as unimportant. Many failed to understand that because of women a good family is managed, working women help the men to lead a financially healthy life, educated women makes the upbringing of the children and women are the only person who can bear the ‘pain’ for 10 months and give life to a new human being. Though all these things are noticed, they failed to get ‘recognition’ and ‘appreciation’ as well.
This article discusses about the various roles played by the women, during this pandemic in all fields particularly in health maintenance, economic fluctuations and work pressures. It also talks about the position of women before and during the pandemic times of both men and women. The role contributed by men is equally considered with that of men during this tough situation. The word ‘equal’ has got a new meaning in this period due to the pandemic. The role reversal and importance of sharing is discussed in this article.
I. Introduction
We all are aware that women are not treated equally before independence. At the time of independence, a small awareness has been created by the freedom fighters and some social activists. And in the 20th century women are treated equally with the men. It has been mentioned that equality involves both gender men and women. The role played by the women and their importance will be understood by all people at the time of crisis. The most notable crisis is the “COVID 19” pandemic outbreak. The issues faced by both the genders will be dealt in this tough situation of pandemic.
II. Gender equality before the outbreak:
From the 21st century, there is no imparity between the gender. The knowledge and talent are needed in this technological advancement era. At present, we can view the achievement of women in all fields. They are proving ‘gender is not a barrier to achieve things. This era is considered to be the ‘dream come true era’ thought by a great poet ‘Barathiar’ where women should have independence over their thoughts and has the freedom to express their views. Though there are many changes in the thinking and implementation, along with-it women have to suffer equally the household chores.
III. Present situation of women:
At present, the women have reached great heights and at the same time they are responsible for their family members. It sometimes leads the women to a distress situation and makes them unable to maintain the work and family pressure. Women is an only person who is active for 24*7 in their whole life. At present they are well trained to maintain the balance between the work, personal and social life.
IV. Classification of women
We can categorise women into three.
- The women who is responsible only for the household and responsible for the matters in the family. It means ‘not a working woman’. This can be further classified as women living alone leaving their husband in abroad or a divorced woman with children and family members getting maintenance from the husband.
- Another category of women is a widow with no children and only family members or a single mother or unmarried women has to take care of her parents and others. They can be called as ‘single earner’.
- The last category of women is a married woman living with spouse and along with it ‘working’ women who is to be responsible at work place and even in home to maintain a heathy relationship.
All the above said categories of women will face the same difficulties at this pandemic period.
V. Categorisation of issues:
- Health problems
- Economic fluctuations
- Daily wage workers
- No advancement in technology
- Cinema industry
- IT industry
- Work pressure
- Care taking
- Education system
Health problems:
The pandemic as a whole is considered to be a ‘health issue’. Where the people are prone to be affected by virus. Still now there is no medicine to cure it has been found. But medicines have been discovered to keep it on a control. There is no difference in the age categories of the affected people. People of all ages are exposed to this disease.
Economic fluctuations:
As the result of the outbreak, many members become jobless and as whole there is a great decrease in the economic level. It will worse affect the economic condition of the people. ‘earn to live’ is not possible in this situation.
Daily wage workers:
This pandemic greatly affects the daily wages workers. As the result of ‘lockdown’ all things are in the hold. The construction workers, 100 days employment workers and people earning through doing ‘household’ chores. It may be monthly. It also involves ‘contract agreement’ for wages signed by the parties concerned.
No advancement in technology:
In an industry, where there is no advancement in technology or where though advancement is there but man power is needed at large are affected mostly. The mining industry, textile industry, weaving industry, etc.
Cinema industry:
Not only the ordinary people are suffering, even the rich people suffer. The people will have many social and personal problem to be isolated. Many theatre operating owners, mall owners, many technicians and people in small roles are also worse affected.
IT industry:
The advancement in getting information is the main advantage of technological period. The people employed under ‘IT’ industry are called as ‘white collar’ workers. They are having the advantage of ‘work from home’ with the various kinds of improvement in communication and network throughout the world. It is considered to be most adaptive in this ‘pandemic period’. It enables the people to work safer from the home with utmost care and in a most effective manner. Though many people are having the fear of losing the job in all fields. Particularly, in the corporate firms many newly employed persons are in the fear of losing their respective jobs. The people in the higher cadre in the respective fields like the senior executives or senior managers because of their experience and their need in this tough circumstance. In India there is not much insecurity in the big firms. Comparing to other countries the ‘unemployment’ rate is considerably less.
Work pressure:
It is a situation where the employed workers have to maintain a strong balance between the personal life and work life. The work from home will not create so much pressure on men but it results in a great stress on working women. Already the women will do all the routine household chores for which the time is not sufficient and do their respective office jobs in their work place. This pandemic made them work ‘thrice the amount than normal routine’. Women are considered to be the workers without receiving any wages for their work. These women are home makers. They do this work purely with love and dedication towards their family. The men and all the other family members should understand the need and importance of women and to support them.
Care taking:
From ancient times till today ‘women’ is considered to be the best ‘care taker’. She is the person who is responsible for giving birth to a child and upbringing it and plays a major role in every human life. We can see women in all fields particularly in the field where more care is necessary and needed and it involves street cleaners, nurses, doctors, etc… From the observation it is obvious that the working population of women is greater than that of men in these fields. If the women are employed in any one of these fields and simultaneously, along with it she has to play the role of ‘effective home maker’. In home she has to take care of her children, elderly people and her age group members. She has to cook the immune rich food for all members in the family. It is difficult for her to make the children to eat it. She has to check now and then and make sure that all family members are safe and not suffered or affected by any disease. And if a person who is already having medication should be properly monitored. The role played by the women in the family is not replaceable.
Education system:
To prevent the wide spread of the pandemic virus, the educational department has made a good suggestion to close all the educational institutions, colleges, schools. It is a place where we can find a huge gathering of people. In history, this is a first time where the academic year for all students is moved further year. Online education has started but reached its peak importance during this pandemic period. Online classes conducted by the reputed institution will help the students to enhance their knowledge even in this tough situation. The children at kindergarten level are educated by their mothers or the respective members in their family. The women along with the role of mother plays the role of ‘teacher’ as well.
Sharing roles equally:
Due to this pandemic, men started to understand the role played by the women. Due to the implementation of lock down, no one is allowed to go outside which forced the men to stay in home for a longer period of time. This made the men to observe the roles played by the women in the houses. In early times, men and women shared the economic burden by working. But now they started to share the household chores too. They started to understand the pain, sacrifices and struggles faced by the women in their respective homes. The men want to contribute to them by helping them in doing small house works and assisting them in whatever way is comfortable and useful. As we all are talking about equality, now the ‘real equality’ has been achieved in this unavoidable situation.
VI. Conclusion:
The role played by the women are mentioned along with their importance is discussed. The world can function effectively with men and women separately. Men and women together are needed to create the next generation or to create new lives. This has been mentioned in the ‘Holy Bible’ by Adam and eve. But to function efficiently both men and women should contribute equally. It has been mentioned in the earlier scriptures of Hindu mythology where, the god Siva and goddess Parvati Devi, have shared equally their body and each one proved to be ‘better half’ of another. This avatar is known as ‘Arthanarishwarar’ and the importance of equality has been specified and made known to all.
Now we can observe the impact of men and women sharing their responsibilities, life and work to lead a healthy and happy life. The word ‘equal’ is implemented in this situation and their role as ‘warriors in the battle field of corona’ will taste the fruit of success. “Two hands are needed to make a clap sound. Men and Women are needed together for an efficient and happy life”.
*****
Footnotes
1. Author is a student at Sastra university(SOL), Thanjavur, India.