Who is the women of new Era? In-fact who is this women of era…living with us as our mother, sister, friend or wife or daughter? Do we really know them? Did we ever tried to understand them? What is this feminism in today’s world; is it just the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes, or is it a demand to change the whole male attitude towards her?
This debate of equality and respect is as old as humanity or Adam and Eve themselves!
This women awakening or Suffragette movement started in 1903 when few women proclaimed that they are going to do it peacefully. It is a different story that after more than thirty years they have to take over streets and burn their bras to successfully establish their demand of equal right to vote.
I can do no better than put their introduction and song to emphasize their desire to change.
We are the suffragettes
Think you know some fierce girls?
You ain’t heard nothing yet
A lass called Milli Fawcett, founder of our cause
Started the battle for our rights
Argued the government should change the laws
Here’s how she stated our plight
How come girls can’t vote for rules that we have to obey
When we work and pay taxes too?
Parliament’s reaction was:
“Oh, do go away”
How dare they diss the suffrage crew
we’re gonna do this thing
Peaceful protest started in 1903
Got no reaction, needed drastic action
Got a new leader Emmeline Pankhurst
That’s me
[Verse 1]
Burst into parliament shouting “Votes for women!”
Actions that were shocking and new
Chained ourselves to palace gates
Tension was brimming on the WSPU
Burned down churches, smashed up shops
Attacked MPs – the result we were thrown in jail
This made us more determined as you’ll come to see
Think we’d give up fighting? Hey, fail
[Chorus]
Suffragettes sing, together we can win
In prison we protested and went on hunger strike
Men still said no but we just said yo
You won’t stop us now
Miss Davison, please take the mic
[Bridge]
We became more extreme
Derby day, June 13
In front of King and Queen
Committed sacrifice supreme
Crept unseen between the team
And crowds watching the race
And threw myself under a horse
To try and make our case
Became a famous martyr, how did men react?
We can’t give women votes if they’re so stupid they’ll do that
[Verse 2]
Seemed our cause was lost
When world war came along
Our suffragette reaction
Was to wave our protest goodbye
Farewell, so long, took patriotic action
Put down our banner saying give us votes instead
Supported the men’s fight
Worked to help them win the war so guess what they said?
“Okay, ladies, you were right”
[Chorus]
Suffragettes sing, we’ve done it, ding-ding
At last those men could see they should treat us the same
So all take note now that women can vote
And it’s thanks to those who fought in the Suffragette name.
Women have come long way since then. Women have acheieved and proved themselves, succeeded in all walks of life. Yet that question of attitude towards them remains the same world over. That is what this issue of ‘Lekhni’ is all about. It pleads to change not only male attitude towards females , but female attitudes towards female’s also.
All the female sex abortions are done on mother’s request only.
All the quarrels between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are between two women only.
Looks like females are the biggest enemy of each other. If they want that love and respect which they desire and crave they have tp learn and respect, love not only each other but themselves only.
We have assembled some beautiful poems and stories on the subject. Dig in and enjoy.
Lekhni’s forthcoming issue is on War and its traumas. On its wounds and homelessness…displacement of humanity, on refugee problem etc are worrying developments,
Your poems, stories and thoughts are welcome.
Last day for submission is Dec 25’th @ shailagrawal@hotmail.com
Or shailagrawala@gmail.com
Warm wishes for a happy and peaceful, Diwali and Christmas and Hanuka
Yours’ Sincerely,
Shail Agrawal