Dipty Gajadur
This year, I had no second thought regarding my topic for the International Women’s Day (IWD). Since the celebrations of Maha Shivaratri is coinciding with the IWD with the campaign theme for this year being ‘Inspire Inclusion’, it was very clear to me that my article for this year must include the inclusive relationship of Shiv-Shakti. While Shakti means « power » or « energy, » and represents the dynamic and creative force, in his aspect as Ardhanarishvara, the half-male and half-female form, Shiv-Shakti symbolizes the inseparable union of masculine and feminine energies which we humans are not even close to achieve. Shakti to me and many other women, especially Hindus, means so much more than just Shiva’s wife. The representation of Shakti in the Hindu scriptures serves as a guiding force that empowers women on various levels—spiritual, social, and personal. This article will explore the multifaceted dimensions of Shakti’s transcendental knowledge as compared to what women are still facing today, and the profound impact that this knowledge can have on women’s empowerment.
Across the globe and including Mauritius, women continue to face violence on the social, physical, and mental levels. From domestic abuse to gender-based discrimination, the scourge of violence against women persists in every corner of the world, transcending borders, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Even a natural biological process that every mother, sister, wife and daughter go through every month for about half of their lives, a ‘phenomenon’ that is so significant for the survival and propagation of our ‘species’ called menstruation is still a taboo. Historically, women have used cloth, wool and even grass to manage menstruation, before being introduced to the menstrual hygiene products available today. These products have allowed women to go outside the house, travel and attend schools and workplaces. Given the increasing involvement of women at workplaces, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly in the hope to eliminate discrimination against women in political, economic, social and cultural fields. However, from 1979 until now, the struggle is still real. While technology and innovation created a revolution in the lives of women through menstrual hygiene products, the psychological toll of feeling embarrassed or ashamed of one’s natural bodily functions still contribute to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression among women and girls.
For years and even today, women are considered impure and forbidden from worshipping and touching any object of religious importance during their periods. Ironically, grandmothers and mothers have been the ones imposing this type of restrictions on younger women since they have themselves grown up accepting such restrictions as norms, and in the absence of knowledge, it is the myth and misconception that propagate from generation to generation. It is high time to normalize menstruation/periods in our society rather than making sitcom references on women such as ‘it is her time of the month, she is PMSing or she is on her rag. Well, by now, some women do not really mind these euphemisms but since they do not want to be tagged, many if not all women, at some point of their lives, have had to hide evidence of their periods by lying about the cramps and complain about headaches instead. The stigma surrounding menstruation has profound implications for women’s health and well-being in addition to the hormonal changes which intensify emotions and tiredness in women during menstruation. This is the first thing that should be stopped for women to create a more inclusive world for themselves since one of teachings we get from Shakti is to call the dismantling of patriarchal norms and systems that perpetuate discrimination against women starting by dispelling myths and fostering open dialogue about menstruation as a normal and healthy bodily process.
In many societies, women are still being denied equal rights and opportunities, relegated to subordinate roles in both public and private spheres. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, gender gaps in political leadership continue to persist. Although there has been an increase in the number of women holding political decision-making posts worldwide, achieving gender parity remains a distant goal. As of 31 December 2022, only 27.9% of the global population, equivalent to 2.12 billion people, live in countries with a female head of state. This underrepresentation not only undermines women’s voices but also perpetuates gender-based inequalities, leaving women vulnerable to further exploitation and mistreatment. While Shiva’s teachings emphasize the principles of equality, compassion, universal respect and his benevolent guidance extends to all beings, irrespective of gender or social status, we humans still have a long way to go to be able to understand the intrinsic power and vitality of the women of our lives be it at home or at work. It is important to understand here that while being depicted as the consort of Lord Shiva, Shakti was also the driving force behind creation, preservation and destruction, manifesting in various forms such as Durga and Kali, making it clear enough that women can carry it both.
In addition, Shakti inspires women to cultivate qualities such as courage, compassion, and wisdom, enabling women to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience rather than anger and force. However, harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation persist in many parts of the world, robbing women of their autonomy and subjecting them to lifelong physical and psychological trauma. According to UNICEF, approximately 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year, exposing them to increased risks of domestic violence, early pregnancy, and limited educational opportunities. Physical violence against women remains a pervasive and devastating problem, with millions of women falling victim to intimate partner violence and sexual assault. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with intimate partners being the most common perpetrators. In Mauritius, the figures for 2022 as published by Statistics Mauritius in July 2023 is alarming with 4420 reported cases of domestic violence against women. Although the authorities are making much effort to allow women to report their abusers, domestic violence against women remains a silent epidemic where women choose to remain silent for various personal reasons including preserving their own image and respect outside the house. This must stop! While Shakti’s guidance serves as a beacon of empowerment for women, encouraging them to embrace their inherent strength and resilience, women should understand that keeping silence is not strength, but it only encourages the evil.
In addition to the physical injuries inflicted, survivors of domestic abuse often suffer long-term consequences, including chronic pain, mental health disorders, and increased risk of future violence. Despite the seriousness of the issue, many cases of domestic violence go unreported or inadequately addressed due to social stigma, especially among the upper and upper middle class of the society, fear of retaliation, and lack of access to supportive services. While physical violence leaves visible scars, mental violence such as psychological abuse, gaslighting, and coercive control inflict wounds that are often invisible yet equally profound. Women should understand that they themselves need to stop all forms of violence that erode their self-esteem, autonomy, and sense of security and look for the Shakti within them. Shakti depicts herself as a fierce warrior goddess who vanquishes demons and upholds cosmic order. This archetype empowers women to assert themselves fearlessly in various spheres of life, starting by safeguarding their self-respect. By reclaiming their agency and voice, women can dismantle oppressive structures and create a more inclusive and equitable society. Women cannot and should not wait for the other people, especially the other men in their lives be it their father, brother or son to fight for them. At least this is not what Shakti portrays. Instead, through spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and devotion to the divine feminine, women can tap into the transformative power of Shakti and harness it for personal growth and empowerment resulting in amplifying women’s voices, dismantling systems of oppression, and fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all.
The figures and narratives presented in this article underscore the urgent need for concerted action to address the global epidemic of violence against women on the 47th IWD, and as men and women walk together towards Ganga Talao. While progress has been made in raising awareness and implementing legal frameworks to protect women’s rights, much remains to be done to eradicate the root causes of violence and ensure justice for survivors. It is imperative that governments, organizations, and communities work together to promote gender equality and provide comprehensive support services for survivors of violence. Above all, we need to stop and think for a minute: When will this deep-seated patriarchy, systemic discrimination, and gender-based violence stop to hinder women’s progress and self-expression. The change should start now. Women must reclaim ownership of their narratives and advocate for gender equality and social justice which is what Shakti portrays. Men on the other hand, should practice what Shiva demonstrates through his divine union with Shakti – the importance of partnership and mutual respect in all aspects of life. There is absolutely no point praying to Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti if their teachings are not being valued and practiced.
In conclusion, Shakti’s guidance offers women a profound source of empowerment and inspiration. By embracing Shakti’s teachings and embodying her wisdom, women can unleash their full potential and contribute to the creation of a more just, harmonious, and compassionate world. As we women continue on our journey of empowerment, let us walk away from the table where we are not respected.