In today’s world, women across all strata of society take up gainful employment and support their families financially. Even a few decades ago, only women who were privileged enough to receive an education entered salaried professions. However, those who remained at home engaged in unpaid labour, such as caregiving and other forms of domestic duties and agricultural work, but were often not acknowledged as making meaningful contributions to their family’s welfare. Their strength was exploited without compensation, and their efforts were left unrecognised.
Women have long been treated as the “second sex”, denied their basic human rights. Over time, many were conditioned to accept a subordinate status, believing that men were inherently superior and that women’s suffering was part of their fate. Traditional Indian families relegated women to tasks such as transferring culture and values to the next generation, denying them the opportunity to hone their skills, explore their interests, and gain knowledge. Generations of women were held back, made to feel inferior, and confined in dark traditions.
Fortunately, things have begun to change. Today, women are forging paths of success across all fields. This transformation did not happen overnight. It was built on years of struggle, sacrifice, and silent determination. Many mothers gave up their own dreams so that their daughters could lead independent and empowered lives.
But has the change truly taken root? Are women now treated equally as men at the workplace? Who truly cares about the real conditions that working women endure?
Clipped wings
While women may now have the “freedom” to work, sadly, the workplace often becomes a second, silent confinement. Here, their wings are clipped, and their voices stifled. They may appear free, but many continue to toil under misogynistic superiors in environments where their dignity is undermined. Women need equality, dignity, and fair treatment. However, a patriarchal mindset persists in many sectors, where women are at the receiving end. If they raise their voices, they risk being fired or penalised. Out of fear, many suffer silently.
Wage disparity
One of the primary reasons women seek employment is financial independence. Yet, wage disparity remains a grim reality. In many workplaces, mainly in the informal sector, salary structures differ for men and women performing the same tasks. Even when a woman puts in equal efforts as her male co-workers or even more, she is rarely paid equally. The struggle of balancing work and family is another big challenge. Unfortunately, their efforts often go unnoticed. In some establishments, bias exists even in hiring practices. This is an obvious violation of women’s rights. Promotions and performance evaluations are often tainted by gender-based discrimination.
India slipped to the 31st position in the Global Gender Gap Index, 2025, according to the World Economic Forum. If such conditions persist, the situation may worsen. Women remain under-represented in key areas such as politics, business, and leadership. While women are often praised as natural multitaskers, the reality is that their labour is undervalued. Some men still cannot accept women as superiors or colleagues on an equal footing.
Despite performing the same duties or more, women are rarely acknowledged or appreciated for their efforts. In addition to office work, many bear caregiving responsibilities at home. But do they receive respect, support, or encouragement from male colleagues or partners?
Several workplaces lack basic facilities such as clean and accessible toilets. During menstruation, women need proper hygiene infrastructure. Are there enough government provisions ensuring access to sanitary facilities or safe spaces? Do workplaces provide adequate breaks for breastfeeding mothers? Women above the age of 50, especially those working in retail or as support staff, are often forced to stand for long hours. Though laws exist mandating seating arrangements for them, such regulations are often ignored. Speaking up can cost them their jobs, so many continue to suffer in silence. Even more tragically, in some cases, women particularly those in vulnerable financial conditions are forced to compromise their dignity by their superiors. While difficult to acknowledge, this form of exploitation still occurs.
So, where can a woman feel truly safe and happy today? She continues to fight her unseen battles every single day.
She may have broken free from the cocoon of domesticity, but now finds herself trapped in a cobweb of systemic oppression. Who will rescue her or must she rescue herself? How can she break free?
Published – August 17, 2025 12:01 am IST