Women Empowerment in Hinduism

"Women needed no empowerment.

Empower the weak. Women are strong."

We live in a country where atrocities against women are a common affair and the position of women degrades every passing day. With this never-ending need for feminism, let us have a look at the original status of women in ancient Hindu culture.

1. There was NO GHUNGHAT.

Ahaaannn!!!

My favourite.

Ghunghat ko kaise justify karoge bhai?

Let us revisit history and understand that the Ghunghat was not started by the Hindu society. After the advent of Mughals in the country, the parda system began. Since the Mughal rulers favoured the parda system, it also prevailed in the rest of the society. 

Ghunghat is a foreign element that is added without permission to the Hindu culture.

⭐

2. They had a proper education.

The education system established by Hindu culture included both men and women. However, during the gradual advancement of society, it took wrong turns and shapes. 

Hindu women were not suppressed of their knowledge-seeking cycle and had the supreme liberty to learn and understand. Let us blame the invasions and not our very culture, which was never faulty. 

⭐

3. They were taught to defend themselves.

When self-defence from rapists is a necessity for females, today, it wasn't required back then. Mutual respect was taught.
However, self-defence in other circumstances was important. Hence, women were never deprived of such skills. They were taught both "Shaastra" and "Shastra". (Meaning Scientific Knowledge and Knowledge of Weapons)

SO!
Pseudo-feminists, there was no questions of a guy doing rough work for a girl! 

Well, a girl with a sword in hand is never considered weak. And, even without a sword, she was always a companion, not a subordinate. As the education system shifted to Western education, the flawless pedagogy faded away, resulting in the present, chaotic scenario.

⭐

4. Her Hindu blood made her fight with power.

Sita

Draupadi

Gandhaari

Kunti

Hearing these names, what comes to your mind?

Vigour.

(She portrayed it well!)

All these women presented the real meaning of sacrifice to the world and showed how the power of a woman can change the world. 

Mahabharata was a dharm-yuddh. 

Draupadi substantiated it with her wisdom and courage. It was this iron lady who was assaulted but her principles, values, and strong foundation made her stand strong and establish Dharma.

(Also, male best-friends were not a problem!)

All these women played an instrumental role in making the world a better place to live.

⭐

5. They had equal rights.

When did you see Sati Sita sitting behind a big curtain in the court of King Ram? 

She is always seen sitting beside ram on the " Singhaasan". 

She isn't simply the wife of the king. 

She is the Queen.

So was the case with Draupadi and other Hindu queens.
They were never placed below or behind the king. They were always companions with equal voices.

⭐

6. They were equal partners. 

The Trinity is not just limited to the males, but we also had the females called Tridevi. 

Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati the counterparts of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva form a crucial part of the Hindu beliefs.

Compared to most of the other religions, Hinduism has given a substantial position to women, calling them equal companions and not subordinates.

If we have thousands of deities, never were they completely men. Women were necessarily included and honoured.

Thanks for reading! 

You can now follow me on Instagram: @nikitatyagi29 ( https://www.instagram.com/nikitatyagi29/ )