News on women…

“What has been reported is a very negligible percentage and many are unreported” The anchor proudly closes the subject and moves onto other news. The women speakers in the news proudly speak of the incidences and expert claim of men stereotyping women.

I am baffled these days at the news on gender issues, women not being treated well enough and all sorts of issues related to women treatment and not forgetting domestic violence on women in particular. I do agree there are some who abuse their women at home and treat them badly. A few organizations are also making headlines helping the victims, women in particular. This is such a sad thing to know when Bhutan is dancing with modernity every moment of our lives. It is such a shame to know when educated people abuse their spouses in all forms. I too consider this to be very serious and shameful in nature considering the biological differences between a man and a woman.  I am also happy that people now know more about domestic violence than a couple of years ago. Thanks to the ever growing media in all forms.

Women these days however small in physique and however paid in their profession seem to take an upper hand in a typical family set up. You see, most men submit to women when it’s family. For wealthy overpowering wives, you can only imagine the plight of the husbands. And for some women, they are more than men. Just see for yourself if there’s any speck of truth in my statement. This is the general scene in almost all homes in Bhutan. Back in the old past women held all decision making power including landholdings and house ownership. It was men who moved into being husbands in the homes of women. Isn’t this also true? This practice is very much alive even today in our villages. Just ask your fellow people nearby!

On the other hand, the news is correct. Men do exist who ill-treat women, men who belong to the old school of thought. Such men should be guillotined.

Our society places women in high regard and is giving opportunities equal to men and women in general enjoy no discrimination at least in our country. I see it this way. And of course there will always be some drunken psychopaths in every society who beat up their wives. Let the law take care of them. Imagine the plight of women in the developing world and especially women of some Islamic nations.

I hope the next news I hear would not be, “Some men were beaten-up in the street by a group of women”