Today success requires organisations utilising the talent available to them, irrespective of the gender. There are many more role models for the women now. We see a lot more working mothers. The Pioneer reporter speaks to the city residents about the Women’s Day which falls on March 8 every year. Mixed reactions have been received on the topic. Some women who are working still are not aware of the existence of any Women’s Day.
The only thing today’s women find more difficult than finding the right career is, identifying the right job. There is so much pressure on us because we are thrust into a hitherto male – dominated profession and so we constantly have to prove that we are good enough. But women do need organization support at different phases of their lives, including flexible work condition during pregnancy. Vandana Singh, Bank employee, Haridwar
Mahant Savitri Das, Janki Das Ashram, Haridwar said the stereotypes have diminished and unconscious gender bias has got somewhat diluted. Yet, they have not disappeared completely. "I generally dislike reservation, but I think it is necessary to re-jig the system in tune with the egalitarian spirit of time. In the next ten years, there will be almost an equal number of women in the workforce as men, I am sure. I feel proud to have a woman as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) here in the district. The greater issue lies in transforming existing attitudes," she said.
Dr Vedika, Homeopathic physician, said the major roadblocks for women who aspired to achieve and succeed in organisations were the presence of constraints imposed upon them by the society, family and women themselves. She further said that many seats were kept reserved by the Government on different levels of panchayat system. However, things were vegetating on the ground with the women remaining unable to emerge out of the veil. Women pradhans are still doing daily household chores and they are still being dictated terms by their husbands. They only sign or put thumb impression on the document whenever it is required. They are still bound to their homes and unaware of their duties, power and responsibilities.
Hema Mishra, Parshad, Rishikul, Haridwar, said the world benefits when women march head to head with men in the corporate world. Today the role of women worldwide is undergoing a dramatic change. Women today share the podium with men in almost all fields. Mamta Tomar, Principal, Public Modern School, said the women living in the cities are not comfortable with their photos or names getting published.