Bharat Mata and the Reality Her Daughters Face

We proudly call our nation Bharat—revered as Bharat Mata. Yet, the stark truth remains: women in this very land continue to struggle for safety, dignity, and equality—from before their birth to every stage of their life.

It’s an uncomfortable and controversial topic, but facts don’t lie. There was a time when disclosing a child's gender before birth often led to tragic consequences if it was a girl. Either she was aborted or neglected after birth. Female infanticide was not just a practice—it was a normalized crime.

After years of struggle, awareness, and legal reforms, India introduced laws banning gender-reveal practices to protect unborn girls. A significant milestone, yes—but just the beginning.

The battle continued in the realm of education. Society discouraged girls from learning, propagating absurd superstitions—like the belief that a girl learning the alphabet could bring misfortune to her husband. Visionaries like Raja Rammohan Roy and Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay helped challenge such regressive beliefs. Thanks to their efforts and those who followed, education for girls became more accessible.

But let's be honest—the road to independence is still under construction.

Even today, in some spaces, a woman’s confidence is questioned, her independence ridiculed. An independent woman is often labeled "characterless," not because of her actions, but due to deep-rooted male ego and insecurity. The fear that a woman might earn more, be more capable, or refuse to conform to traditional roles still exists.

And yet—despite everything—women have been pushing boundaries, becoming graduates, professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. But the struggle isn’t over.

What inspired me to write this post were recent news reports reflecting how outdated mindsets still shape our workplaces and institutions.

A woman requesting maternity leave is seen as incapable.

A woman needing a break due to menstrual pain is labeled unfit.

A woman asking for safety and dignity is blamed instead of being protected.

Why must women justify their biology, their safety, their trauma?

Shouldn’t we, as a progressive society, recognize that being a woman comes with challenges most can’t comprehend—and that balancing professional duties with biological and emotional realities requires immense strength?

When incidents like molestation, acid attacks, or rape still happen—and the victim is questioned instead of the perpetrator—it speaks volumes. “Why was she out so late?”, “What was she wearing?”, “Did she misinterpret the situation?”—these are all shameful reflections of a society still reluctant to hold men accountable.

If a girl isn't safe in her college, her workplace, or even in a state where we worship goddesses like Parvati, where is she supposed to feel safe?

This is a call to all women, students, and professionals alike:
Let’s not reduce Women Empowerment to a buzzword, a poster, or a social media quote.

Let’s embody it. Live it. Demand it. Practice it. Show it.