Prayer for the daughter of Waris

Making the workplace safer for women
Lopamudra Mohanty
THERE has been an increase in incidence of cases of sexual harassment at the workplace, something that reflects the perception of woman as an object. This can take the shape of employees/superiors giving or promising something in exchange of physical or sexual favours or, in reverse, some service loss inflicted or threatened for withholding such favours. 

The best of both worlds!
Despite the galloping IT revolution and the rapid globalisation of India, Indian women seem to follow the same icons and values as their mothers. Yet there is a world of difference in their attitudes and views today. How do the old and the brand new merge in them, asks Vimla Patil

From the grassroots
When doctors wear a ghungat to learn
Ena Singh
IT’s rather hilarious to watch a middle-aged doctor from a government primary health centre pretending to be a village woman, ghungat and all, sweeping the floor, complaining all the while about "her" backache.

This is not an article but a prayer for Amrita Pritam, a writer who enriched many souls in her long and triumphant literary journey, says Nirupama Dutt.

THERE is a street shaded by trees that meanders like a snake off the Safdarjang Development Area into the K block of Delhi’s Hauz Khas. On this street is a stone house with tall windows trailing with bougainvillaea and a small patch of a garden with its harsinghar tree. Come August, and the lawn will be strewn with tiny parijat flowers. Come August and the girl who built this house number 25 will turn 83.

Yes, you already know her name. Her name is Amrita Pritam. The eminent Punjabi poet and novelist. This name means a lot to many and the girl with this name means much more. Her story is one of great courage. This pretty girl began her literary journey way back in Lahore in 1935 when she penned her first book of verse in Punjabi called Thandian Kirnan. Here was a girl writing in her own language, her own dreams. Punjabi was to go places with her and her dreams were common with the pioneering women writers writing all over the world. As the little girl’s talents blossomed, her poetry was to represent not just the composite culture of Punjab, but universal values of truth, justice and freedom.

Today, as I write these lines to her she is in pain and agony following a fall and surgery. Her physical condition has compelled her to shut down Nagmani, the literary magazine she and her artist partner brought out so lovingly over 36 years. A couple of years ago she had announced that she would close it down as her health was indifferent but readers made pleas and Amrita brought it out somehow in spite of failing health. The final closure of Nagmani has brought gloom in literary circles.

Imroz, however says, "The gloom is misplaced. Everything has a time cycle. Nagmani came out so many years in full glory. Let someone else bring out another Nagmani maybe by another name somewhere."

So well said and reminiscent of a song Sahir Ludhianvi, the Urdu poet with whom Amrita shared a bond of love, Main pal do pal ka shaair hoon (I am a poet of a moment or two). Sahir is no more, but his poetry lives on. A moment or two can sometimes reach out to the infinite. Personally, I , a minor poet of Punjabi among the two generations of writers whom Amrita inspired and nurtured, feel the gloom is not required. What is required is to look up to her and reconfirm faith in struggle, love and freedom. To think of Amrita is also to think of her immortal poem addressed to Waris Shah— Ajj Akhan Waris Shah Nu:

On hearing of Amrita’s illness and the closure of Nagmani, I go to that sacred destination in Hauz Khas with a bouquet of white roses. As I put them in a vase and place them on a bureau in front of her, I notice on the wall a picture of Amrita sittting all huddled up in green silk shawls edged with gold. What is this I ask the grand lady of letters, "These are the chaddars from the tombs of Waris Shah, Bulle Shah and Sultan Bahu that writers from Pakistan have sent me as a gift. They came with a letter from Iliyaz Ghumman saying that You are the waris (heir) of our Waris." It certainly is a befitting title. In the past few years more awards and honours were added to Amrita’s already long list of laurels put she says most precious to her are those green silk chaddars. " I have only returned in my writings what I learnt from these saints and sages," she says in all humility as her hand goes to her broken hip joint.

I have personally enjoyed a fond relationship with Nagamani as I am one of the many Punjabi writers, who was discovered and nurtured by this literary journal that was bought up like a baby by Amrita and Imroz. Amrita would take care of the editorial content and the design and sketches would be by Imroz. Looking back at the early days of Nagmani, Imroz recalls, "We chose brown newsprint because it was cheap but it looked so good that it became quite a craze. We also picked out the cheapest press. We would go there to supervise the printing. There would be no chair there for Amrita to sit on and read the proofs. So we would borrow a barber’s chair from nearby." Together they would write addresses on the magazine and Imroz would put them in his Fiat car and take them to the post office. This labour of love made it an exceptional journal. There never was and it will be a long time before someone will bring out one such. Since the talk is of Nagmani, Amrita cannot help but join it in spite of the pain, "Readers are writing me letters to not close it. But My health just does not allow me to go on with it."

The magazine was just one aspect of this girl who dared to be a poet. Yes, talent and courage combined in the life of Amrita Pritam who led a life at her own terms and all through contributed brilliant poetry and prose to her language. She is one writer who is loved by Punjabis on both sides of the Indo-Pak border. What pains Amrita is that clouds of war should gather over these two countries. The writer says, "The people on both sides want peace. The writers strive for peace and the politicians should also see sense in it."

It is time to leave and Amrita is feeling drowsy, courtesy the sedatives. I ask her, "Is there anything that I can do for you?" She smiles her charming smile and says, "Pray to God that I should depart from this world in peace." I sit a while with Imroz who looks after her keeping awake at nights . And as I wish goodbye and step down, I feel that I am returning from a pilgrimage. I mutter the prayer and then recall some lines of this great poet of our times:

So spoke the daughter of Waris and I feel blessed that one lived in her times and got the chance to know a little a soul as kindred as hers.

THERE has been an increase in incidence of cases of sexual harassment at the workplace, something that reflects the perception of woman as an object. This can take the shape of employees/superiors giving or promising something in exchange of physical or sexual favours or, in reverse, some service loss inflicted or threatened for withholding such favours. With more and more women coming into the workforce instances of harassment by the boss, colleagues, even juniors, are on the rise because the attitude towards women remain feudal and oppressive.

Although a lot needs to be done for the betterment of women, present-day women are certainly far better off than those of the earlier decades. Successive governments have made efforts to protect the rights of women to fulfill these goals. New laws have been enacted at regular intervals and the old ones have been revised. Separate departments, such as the women and child welfare department, have also come into existence. Only betterment of women can lead to progress and development of the society and the country. The status of women workers in India is clear from the fact that 94 per cent of them are engaged in the informal unorganised sector and only 6 per cent in the organised sector. According to census estimates, about 81 per cent of the women workforce is in rural areas. But the 1991 Census found a marked decrease of women agriculture labour, indicating the fact that women in the organised sectors are making their way.

With more and more women becoming wage earners in our country, both in rural and urban sectors, it is imperative to study the problems faced by them at their workplaces so as to provide remedial measures for improvement of their condition and reduce their harassment. To accelerate overall growth and prosperity of the nation, it is very important to create opportunities for socio-economic development of women in rural India, as they constitute half of our population and play a vital role in the development of society.

Various provisions facilitating equality were adopted by the Indian Constitution some three decades ago which enabled the passage of a variety of laws and measures aimed at the improvement of the status of women in post-Independence India. But the legal changes have limited personal significance for most women .

Work pressure is much more for women as there is a passive resistance to highly placed women.

There are inadequate employment opportunities available for women.

There is economic exploitation of the workforce of uneducated women .

Harassment extends to aggravation, annoyance, irritation, molestation, nuisance, tormenting etc. Most harassed working women are hesitant to complain about their plight. In India particularly, most victims still prefer to bear it in silence than to lodge a complaint. This stems from the fear of losing the job itself, getting transferred, or inviting other reprisals, etc. Women rarely approach the police, who are just as unsympathetic as the judiciary in cases of sexual harassment.

The failure of an employer to investigate a complaint of sexual harassment properly has been assumed as tacit support of gender discrimination. Ordinarily, a complaint must be acted upon within 24 hours of it being received.

An unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature is defined as sexual harassment. The ‘workplace’ is defined in the guidelines as any area where an employee is required to represent, carry out, perform or implement any duties, obligations or services required, whether at the instance of the employer or otherwise.

Gaping: Every time an employee looks up the same person is staring at her

Inappropriate facial expressions: Those expressions that are distasteful, unprofessional and suggestive, such as blowing kisses, winking or suggestive licking of the lips.

Inappropriate items/decor: Items or decor that are denigrating such as sexual remarks on T-shirts caps, cups and glasses, desk plaques and paperweights, handling decor or calendars.

Pet names : Names like babu, honey, sweetheart or hunk, belong only to your personal life, if you choose to use these diminutives.

Hearsay : Generating hearsay campaigns about a person’s intimate and personal life. Rumours and gossip are destructive for people and productivity.

Inappropriate sounds or comments : Hooting, kissing sounds, sounds of a vulgar nature, or comments of a sexual nature about figure or physique, looks or dress.

Steering conversation improperly: Attempting to converse about sexual reference, fantasy, or sex life, the steering of conversations towards sexual subjects, directly or through innuendo. On August 13, 1977, a Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice gave a landmark judgement on gender equality, including prevention of sexual harassment or abuse.

The Court enjoined on employers, both Government and private, to ensure that women do not work in a "hostile" work environment, whether caused by employees or outsiders.

India is among the nations which participated and were signatories to the convention for elimination of "All Form of Discrimination Against Women 1979". Article 13 of this Convention advocated strongly for human rights for women. Moreover, the Constitution of India and other legal enactments have several provisions intended to safeguard the rights of women. The issue of harassment of women in workplaces has not yet attracted sufficient judicial attention.

Even though Indian criminal law has not so far addressed itself specifically to the topic of harassment of women in the workplace, there are various provisions in the civil law which are applicable to such situation and instances.

There is an urgent need to carry out detailed investigations both by the official and private agencies to find out the extent to which the women in the offices are being exploited, and who are the persons involved in these activities, so as to take steps to safeguard women.

Despite the galloping IT revolution and the rapid globalisation of India, Indian women seem to follow the same icons and values as their mothers. Yet there is a world of difference in their attitudes and views today. How do the old and the brand new merge in them, asks Vimla Patil

ON a free evening, sit back in your couch and focus on the TV screen. Look carefully at what the Indian media offers you hour after exciting hour. Listen, in the silence of your womanliness, to what is tells you about Indian women. See the icons it creates and markets so successfully that you get hooked irrevocably onto a Heena or a Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi or a Kora kagaz. Examine why you look forward with such passion to a Kalash or a Kahani ghar ghar ki. Ponder over the highly publicised concerns of women as seen on television or in films, especially in the light of the fact that India, like the rest of the world, is well into the real new millennium!

A cursory glance at women’s magazines, TV soaps and superhit films in all languages would seem to confirm the view that Indian women, almost four generations after Independence, have not changed their souls at all and that all the change they show is only skin deep. They seem — at least in urban areas — to be educated, aware of their rights, aware of health and fitness and above all, of beauty and decoration. Never before, thanks to women, have the Indian fashion, beauty and accessories’ industries boomed world-wide as they have today. From inexpensive bindis and bangles to every shade of make up, from an incredible range of clothes to the priciest of diamonds — every article which is associated with women for millennia is as vibrant and rich today as it ever was.

Women are dressing better, buying better and enjoying themselves as feminine persons. They want romance in their lives (particularly in their marriages); they would expect and offer fidelity; they want well-behaved, well-educated children and feel that their lives are not complete without a happy family life full of festivals and auspicious occasions such as engagements and marriages. They want a busy and committed family life and wish to be valued as members of an extended family.

Their problems, too, echo a note of familiarity. The same mother-in-law, albeit dressed better and younger-looking, becomes the ever-present ogre in their lives. Wayward children, disloyal or neglectful husbands seem to bring the same depression and anguish as before. It would seem that women want the same values in their lives and in their family life as before.

And yet, we say that Indian women have made tremendous strides in every field. They number 40 per cent of all doctors in India. They are engineers in sizeable numbers. Many women, young computer wizards, are travelling to the West and software designers and earning respect as well as money. They are powerful politicians and form an effective pressure groups. They fight for any number of causes and head thousands of non-governmental organisations which cater to the needs of the weaker sections in the country. They occupy important positions in the civil, foreign and revenue services. They are expert travel and tourism operators, corporate and media CEOs, bankers, finance whizkids and skilled stock market players. More than all these things, they are self made entrepreneurs engaged in businesses of every kind that we can imagine.

To a large extent, women aim at self reliance through education and career. They and their more forward-looking parents are not scared of the changing norms of society such as inter-community or inter-religious marriages and divorce or separation. They accept that relationships can be fractured for various reasons — and one of the more prominent reasons today can be that women are no longer prepared to make endless compromises to stay in a marriage. Indeed, divorce has become so common in the Indian urban middle class that no one talks about it as a stigma any more, though of course, no one really likes the possibility of it. It is normal for an urban middle class woman to want her own economic freedom and security. Daughters are as educated as sons and encouraged to seek freedom and opportunity just like sons.

Watching this rather confused, jumbled-up Indian woman scenario, an observer of this social change could well be exasperated. How can so many seemingly opposite-to-each-other values systems and lifestyles exist together and run smoothly in the same direction? The answer to this question verges almost on the spiritual! Indianness — like the proverbial thread which strings a plethora of beads together — runs like a golden link between the multitude of lifestyles which Indian women live. Their values, some traditional and some global, co-exist comfortably. Indeed, globalisation and an exposure to the world outside has taught them to be proud of their religious beliefs, their cultural identity and their traditional heritage. They dress like Indian women with an amazing panache and think like global women with admirable facility.

Now having taken their rightful responsibilities in the new millennium — which has prophetically been termed a ‘women’s century’ — Indian women realise that their roots, their Indianness and their heritage of a splendid culture is their true self-identity. This identity gives them a sense of belonging and confidence. Increasingly, globalisation for them means a bonding with their religion or culture and an openness to receive positively the winds of change and new ideas which are sweeping the world. They participate with alacrity in the process of becoming international citizens. They are net- savvy. They have a killer instinct when they compete for success. They love to travel and see diverse cultures. They are ready and waiting for new adventures and experiences. Yet, some esoteric magic brings them back to their roots. Redesigned, repackaged, recycled, whatever you wish to call the Indian woman’s lifestyle today, you have to acknowledge that she has fused the best of both worlds to her own advantage and emerged as a winner in the eyes of her countrymen and more important, in her own eyes!

IT’s rather hilarious to watch a middle-aged doctor from a government primary health centre pretending to be a village woman, ghungat and all, sweeping the floor, complaining all the while about "her" backache.

The doctor gets a laugh out of it, as do his colleagues who are watching him. Beneath the fun and games lies seriousness. The doctors are role-playing to portray the circumstances that come between women and the health care they need.

One doctor plays a woman hesitant even to admit she has a problem. Another presents a situation where a sick woman cannot take time off from housework and wage labour to visit the hospital. Roles shift to show how a lack of resources becomes more severe when it is a woman who needs treatment. Another roleplay shows a husband wanting his wife to first try traditional treatment, hoping to save the high cost of allopathic care. The list goes on...

The doctors portray the experiences women face before they make it to the health centre. This portrayal is not complementary to the doctors, but it is honest.

By having to walk in the barefeet of their hapless clients, the doctors are learning powerful lessons.

They are participating in an unusual training programme. The Government of Himachal Pradesh has taken the lead along with the United Nations Population Fund and the voluntary organisation, SUTRA, to help medicos understand gender, so they can provide health services, with more sensitivity. Especially services relating to reproductive health.

Five years ago, a training on this subject would have been unthinkable. But since the mid-nineties many in government and healthcare have felt the need to move away from the concept of population "control" and the sterilisation case chase, towards programmes that meet client needs. To do this, doctors must understand the client, specially the woman, and appreciate the circumstances that influence her decisions, or lack of them.

After a three-day training, the doctors make some commitments, both personal and professional. Are these mere words, or will they follow through on them? Listen to the doctors when they come together again after a six-month gap.

"I started asking my son to do the things that normally my daughter would do,"says Bhubaneshwar, a doctor working at the Civil Hospital in Kangra district. "My wife works in the hospital, too, but I never thought twice about her doing all the housework after working all day at the office. Things are different now... and not only at home."

Earlier, Bhubaneshwar would get upset if he asked a patient to return for a check up after two days, and she ambled in six days later. A tirade would follow, a scolding over her carelessness, as it made his own job harder. "But now Iunderstand,"he says. "I never scold my women patients because I know what they may have been through to make it back to the hospital. And I never send back a patient if I can help it. I have started doing antenatal checkups every day, instead of once a week. At first there was a lot of resistance from my staff, but now they, too, understand that it is not easy for a woman to return again and again."

Dr Nanda, from Solan says, "Ihave become more aware of what women need. I have made sure I have a functional toilet in my PHC."

Alok (not his real name), has transformed the way he deals with his women colleagues. "A gender voice stops me from saying things I used to say to my female staff. I have a woman staffer who used to shirk handling the store because she considered the job too difficult. "Don’t you want to be an equal?" I asked her one day. She took on the challenge, and has performed with excellence. I now give her duties that were earlier given only to male doctors, like preparing for medical emergencies during VIP visits."

When one room in his hospital became empty, Alok decided to turn it into a counselling room where women clients could receive family planning and other information in privacy, rather than having to discuss their personal lives in a crowd with numerous people walking in and out. Abortion services used to be provided in the hospital in a very irregular manner, and Alok put up a board stating that abortion would be provided every Thursday. The announcement served as a commitment to the public, and Alok has used this as a way of increasing his hospital staff’s accountability.

But Alok feels isolated. His supervisors are silent about the changes he has brought about, leaving him to wonder whether he is on the right track. "I have become a leader beyond my position,"he says, searching for a resonance he has not yet found amongst his seniors. Others like him who made changes are also uncertain. But meeting other colleagues, who have been through the gender training and have had similar experiences, has reinforced his ideas.

At their second training session, the doctors are introduced to the concept of patriarchy. Says Nina, a doctor with a voluntary organisation, "Every time I talked about the discrimination women face, people would say I must have had a bad marriage, even though I am very happily married. Ifeel relieved to know that it is the system that is at fault, not individuals. This knowledge gives me the courage to go on."

Their observations come from the heart. A sense of relief fills the room as they acknowledge that men, too, suffer as a result of patriarchal system.

"Women’s education and empowerment is not enough," admits one of the participants. "Men must change, too." Another observes, "None of us is black or white as far as patriarchy is concerned. We are all grey. Our effort should be to be as light grey as possible."

"When I was in college," says Alok, "my hostel warden used to help his wife hang out the laundry and all the boys would make fun of him, calling him henpecked. This episode has always stood in the way of my helping with housework. But I can do it now." Doesn‘t it bother him when the neighbours comment about him taking out the washing to dry? "I used to feel awkward earlier, but now I do not bother about them," is his response.