The week that Julia Gillard spoke out against sexism and misogyny, we in India were witness to our leaders proclaiming that the marriageable age for girls should be reduced as it will prevent rape. I have not still figured that one out but what was noticeable was the silence from all the political parties and aspiring leaders. Fortunately, the MahaKhap rejected the suggestion.
I have listened to Julia Gillard's speech. I just wish some one would have the courage to speak out against sexism and misogyny that exists in India.
When I joined the University, a senior professor told a women colleague and me that he always feels sorry for the male faculty who join as assistant professor as they have to run the household on pittance. Then there was another faculty who believes that man is the head of the house.
Women scientists are meant to be dismissed off unless there is work to be done. Fluffy headed just doing some thing to keep themselves occupied. If we are aggressive, we are labelled bitch, grudgingly given our due because we yell. If we flirt then we are to be dismissed off as lightweights. If we do neither, then anyway we are not going to get anything. Or rather as a sop they will give us National Women Bioscientist Award.
I usually ignore my male colleagues because that is the only way I can survive. What really gets me upset is the attitude of the male students who, seeped in the patriarchal ideology, dismiss off their supervisor because she is a female. I get upset too when female students write letters to me addressed as Dear Sir. I get upset too when my female students believe that men are more superior than them. I get upset when my women students decide to leave all the decisions to the men of their family. I get upset when my women students decide to get married and quit their studies because they have to follow their husband. I have no issues with their getting married but I wonder if they ever ask themselves or those who make decision for them that isn't their studies/career important too?
I worry what kind of role model my women colleagues and I are providing. But then they see us struggling, they see us not getting the awards that we deserve, they see us sidelined, so why should they not believe that men are superior?
I have listened to Julia Gillard's speech. I just wish some one would have the courage to speak out against sexism and misogyny that exists in India.
When I joined the University, a senior professor told a women colleague and me that he always feels sorry for the male faculty who join as assistant professor as they have to run the household on pittance. Then there was another faculty who believes that man is the head of the house.
Women scientists are meant to be dismissed off unless there is work to be done. Fluffy headed just doing some thing to keep themselves occupied. If we are aggressive, we are labelled bitch, grudgingly given our due because we yell. If we flirt then we are to be dismissed off as lightweights. If we do neither, then anyway we are not going to get anything. Or rather as a sop they will give us National Women Bioscientist Award.
I usually ignore my male colleagues because that is the only way I can survive. What really gets me upset is the attitude of the male students who, seeped in the patriarchal ideology, dismiss off their supervisor because she is a female. I get upset too when female students write letters to me addressed as Dear Sir. I get upset too when my female students believe that men are more superior than them. I get upset when my women students decide to leave all the decisions to the men of their family. I get upset when my women students decide to get married and quit their studies because they have to follow their husband. I have no issues with their getting married but I wonder if they ever ask themselves or those who make decision for them that isn't their studies/career important too?
I worry what kind of role model my women colleagues and I are providing. But then they see us struggling, they see us not getting the awards that we deserve, they see us sidelined, so why should they not believe that men are superior?
