CHENNAI: C hoosing a profession is one of the toughest, life-changing decisions for anyone; when the preferred field is already crawling with Y chromosome, tough is an understatement for women. Though there are several inspiring role models to look up to, there is a long way to go for feminist goals and equality ideals. Nevertheless, let’s look at namma Chennai’s fine women who are climbing the professional ladder in male-dominated areas.
Biker Alisha Abdullah is no stranger. She came in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in 2009 and opened a women’s racing academy recently. “It’s normal – men feel threatened by women in this patriarchal society. It was quite hard, but that only made me stronger. I’ve sacrificed a lot and worked real hard to get where I am,” she says, talking to City Express. She did have a supportive family that some others are deprived of.
Meet Lady Muhammad Ali aka Thulasi Helen, again, a well-known name – but not enough. Did you know she once defeated Mary Kom? Having won over 30 medals in 17 years, she now teaches boxing in Nanganallur. “It’s a fight...a do or die situation. I was mocked not only by men in my field but by my family and relatives too.
I was expected to be a typical girl who gets married after education and fry away in the kitchen. But I ran away. Why should we look for support?
I didn’t care and still don’t. I’m capable of proving myself.” Expressing the same self-courage was a city photo journalist who was declined a job from an established news agency only because she was a woman. According to her, apart from self-courage, self-control is the key “Every time you are reminded that you are a woman, it’s not safe and don’t have the necessary strength, you will want to slap the person on his face. Trust me, the urge is overpowering but not a good idea.
Be patient and find a better path to your goal.” She did and is now happy working at an established news agency, with colleagues who respect her work.
Having experienced this freedom, junior Sous Chef Taj Coromandel Mrinalinee Swarup says, “I did not grow up knowing the term gender-bias. I was fortunate that way. But many families have been judgemental about a female chef. It’s more out of fear that women don’t want to get into the field rather than just experiencing it. But the severity of it was in the past. There are women chefs coming up down South and things are getting better.”
It has and we can’t argue here. One might argue that men in a woman-dominated field like nursing, housekeeping and receptionists are mocked too. True, but are they sympathised and accused of being weak? Women are pitied. For instance, according to a photo-journalist, men give you an assignment based on sympathy and ‘pity’, “but in time, you can show them who you are made of.”
Since celebrations for Women’s Day is trend now, let’s hope to see women electricians, women circus crew and an Indian woman commanding army office. Perhaps then it’ll be a ‘happy’ Woman’s Day every day, indeed!
(The writer is a freelance journalist)