Emancipation of women can be traced back to the European Industrial Revolution, when for the first time with the rise of factories women could work due to the large demand of workforce and men at war. Earning a living gave women a sense of independence and allowed them to be self- sufficient. It has since then been many decades and now working women have become a known reality.
But the question now arises that under what circumstances are the women having to work? It is no secret that any woman who neglects her ‘feminine responsibilities’ and only focuses on work is seen as irresponsible, and the women who take care of their homes along with work on the other hand are said to be fulfilling their role. Hence, the weight of house- work and chores is still largely on the shoulders of women. Men who contribute in even the smallest way are celebrated as if they have done some great tasks. This is downright demeaning to the women who are not given a morsel of recognition for all their unpaid labor.
Yes, society has come a long way in recognizing and accepting women’s rights, but we are still a long way from true ideal women empowerment. This can and will only be achieved when women are fully self- aware of the fact that they are no less than men and can self- enterprise. The path to this is accessible and affordable education at all levels for women, especially those who are socially or financially underprivileged.