
Men are mostly, privileged to not have to struggle to live their dreams. But women were not born with this privilege in their hands. For ages, they had to fight back for their basic rights. Considered as the weaker gender, they were taught how to get dependent on their male counterpart. Patriarchy and gender stereotypes were always the road blocker in the path of success for a woman. But many women understood their enslaved position and fought back against the stereotypes. They remove the barriers and pave the way for other women too, towards their emancipation.
Deane De Menezes
Still, in a few places, menstruation is considered a disease and impure state of a woman. Women are kept separate when they are on their period. And in backward places, women do not have access to sanitary napkins. To remove the stereotypical thinking, Deane initiated a program known as “Red is New Green”. She is spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene and has also made affordable sanitary napkins. She along with her team initiated the installation of free sanitary vending machines at different places. At the very early age of 24, Deane got the “Queen’s Young Readers Award.”
Viji Penkoottu
In the shopping areas of Kerala, women workers were not allowed to sit or use toilets during working hours. They were denied this human right by the owners of the shops and the malls. Viji being a worker herself was a part of this and realized the issue. She raised her voice against this discrimination and asked for strict laws from the court. After 8 years of a long struggle finally “The Kerala Shops And Commercial Establishments Act 2018” was passed. This act allows women of the shops to have flexible working hours and permission to sit during work.
Malala Yousafzadi
She was born in a country where surveillance was part of the life of citizens, specifically of women. She was born and brought up in Pakistan at a time when the Taliban took control of the country. They have denied the right to education to girls. Malala realized the importance of education in the lives of women, and at a young age raised her voice against the rules of the Taliban. She was even shot in the head at the age of 15 by the Taliban because of her courageous voice. She did not stop her fight against the people of the Taliban and to the date fighting for young girls so that they get the basic right to education.
Katharine Graham
The business world is considered the world of men. And not many women can be seen stepping their foot in the market. But Katherine was different and became the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. She opens the path for many women to showcase their intellectual power and became an idol for them.
Sanna Marin
Who says politics cannot be handled by females. Sanna proved all those wrong by becoming the youngest female Prime minister in the history of Finland. Sanna is also the youngest female state leader. In politics, male members show the dominant number over women. But Sanna opens the path for other women to enter politics.
Breaking the stereotypes
We can women in every field in today’s world. Many women have struggled a lot to gain the freedom to live openly. Even they fought and spoke about the topics which are considered taboo topics. They made their presence in every field whether it is education, business, or politics. Their strong opinion and will to improve the state of women has given the freedom to other women too.