February 22, 2025

Are supposedly “puny” men, who wear low-waist jeans and earrings, not able to protect their womenfolk? Suman Sharma, the chairperson of Rajasthan state women’s commission thinks so. In her opinion, men are becoming effeminate by maintaining a small figure, wearing jeans and ornaments and are in no position to protect women. But is it her call to ask men to protect women or has she been appointed to protect women’s rights, which include self-protection?

If anything, Sharma should be aiming to make women strong enough to protect themselves. Her only job should be to ensure that women are not discriminated against on account of their sex. But obviously, she has a very low opinion of women. Also, she is still living in the past if she thinks that the broad and hairy male is the provider and protector. Women are capable of looking after themselves and more and more of them are equal partners in providing for the family.

Instead of commenting on the physique and sartorial habits of men, Sharma would do well to devise schemes to make women less dependent on them. It is because of the well-crafted abla nari image that women have to suffer several indignities and are discriminated against in our patriarchal society. The need is for people like Sharma to smash that image.

As long as women are projected as objects who cannot survive without the home, food and protection provided by men, men will continue to make laws that will subjugate them further. It is only when women will be liberated from such outdated notions that they will become equal partners in India’s progress. Although change is happening on the ground, people in influential position refuse to acknowledge it.

So men, if you agree with Sharma and if you want to protect your women, shun the low-waist jeans and always be ready in your akhara kachhas.