Starting with English language, which is the universal language used in almost every nation, gender inequity is always rooted in its various forms. It may merely reflect gender inequalities that already exist but it is important to highlight this point because language influences thought.

As Benjamin Lee Whorf wrote "Speech is the best show man puts on. Language helps man in his thinking". While MAN in English technically refers to all humans and HIS technically refers to the thinking of a single person of either gender, the frequent use to such words could convey the idea that males are more important.

Similarly, do the words Chairman, Policeman, Businessman, and Salesman covey that males are suppose to have these jobs? What is conveyed when there are two words for two genders as in actors and actresses and Hero and Heroine? Usually the base word is male and suffix is added for female forms.

Does the suffix covey that female form is an after thought or less important? There are also differences in usage and metaphor.

Although there is a female and male form for someone who has lost a spouse (Widow and Widower), many people will say "Sally is Henry's widow" but hardly anyone would say, "Henry is Sally's widower".

Why? Is it considered more important that a woman was formerly attached to a man than that a man was formerly attached to a woman? And how come in the pairs Sir/Madam, Master/Mistress, Wizard/Witch, the female version has acquired a negative connotation?

Why are so many animal images applied to women? They may be described as Chicks, Henpeck, Cows, Dogs, Bitch, Kittens, and Birds?"

There are various theories and laws to ensure equality of gender and for the upliftment of women. But there is always a huge gap between theory and practice. The best example of this existing gap is provided by the rural Hindu villages, where theoretically speaking, women are equated with GODDESS, but are, in actual practice, treated like DRUDGES.

In a recent field trip for a project to an Indian village, we group of girls tried to thank the elderly man by touching his feet's for being a very good respondent. But he told us that 'women should not touch their feet because we are devis'. But the actual situation in the village was that of women suffering from anemia due to malnourishment and exploitation in various forms.

How ironic was that? Ill-treatment is coupled with no equal opportunity for social participation in spite of the immense amount of work, which is expected, of them. Same thing happens in many parts of India and all over the world in both urban and rural context.

Molestation, dowry death, rape and various heinous crimes are committed to women everyday. The capital of India, Delhi, is being labeled, as "Delhi is unsafe for women". Many northeast women have always been victims of such criminal activities. It includes the Manipuri women who have always been an example of immense courage and determination.

Back at home; looking at our culture, various political and social aspects, Manipuri women had always played some of the most important roles. Unlike other parts of India, women are treated with due respect and had always been given the platform to raise their voice, participate in various social and political issues.

They are the preserver of our culture, leading torch in various fight for justice. They aren't scared and are ever ready to give up their lives when it comes to protecting their father, brothers, husbands and every youth known or unknown.

Speaking about preserving the cultures and traditions, a wedding ceremony and you would find them dressed up in their best traditional attire of our colorful traditional phanek and phi. Any outsider would be reminded about some remnants or a lineage of princess still sticking to their classical attire.

Picture Courtesy: Prithiviraj Potsangbam

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