Recently, a Twitter thread captured the attention of many women. The Twitter user Gayatri started an inspiring thread when she asked women to say they’re women without explicitly saying so. And, many women who came forward did so by explaining their lives and how society treats them.
Sadly, the realities that women shared do shed a lot of light on how women are treated unfairly in our society. From walking down the streets with fear to paid less at work, women shared their realities in the Twitter thread that will break your heart.
Tell me you’re a woman without telling me you’re a woman.
— Gayatri (@jestme) December 10, 2020
Let me go first. When I walk in a dark lane, I mentally am aware of the escape routes.
— Gayatri (@jestme) December 10, 2020
I always carry a pepper spray https://t.co/Q4BnsV0MzB
— ???????? بھومیکا (@bhumikatyagi5) December 11, 2020
Take a few anxious breaths every time am alone with a man in an elevator
— Ziba Bhagwagar (@howbza) December 10, 2020
No amount of professional or educational achievement is enough to make up for the fact that I’m unmarried.
— MadMax Zoombie (@TapiocaChip) December 10, 2020
How will he manage when you travel? How do you manage to write after finishing domestic work? You are so lucky… that you got the deal. Oh another one… you write like a man.
— Kanchana Banerjee (@justkanchana) December 11, 2020
I can go on and on
My assertiveness at work is called that time of the month.
— Gee (@GayatriiM) December 10, 2020
On occasions, I have held back from tearing up during very tough days at work, because I am afraid I’ll be judged; & not to give anyone a chance to frame me as “emotional”. For Other folks who fist bump a wall or use profanity, it is be just another tough day! ????
— rashmi (@ArghWii) December 11, 2020
What would I know about politics, economy, current affairs or anything for that matter ????
— Riddhi Singh (@badassbrownmom) December 11, 2020
HR lady: “boys will be boys, we must adjust”.
— chosen by food. (@ruchi_marshal) December 11, 2020
MD lady with 20+ years of int’l exp. in C-suite roles: “you’re overreacting coz of stress from conceiving problems+caregiving, he’s not yelling at you at all, is fully professional”; “that’s a long holiday for a trip abroad”;
“you need to learn all this to manage a home!”, “Oh you got promoted and have to temporarily move to the US? How will your husband and children manage? What does he say about this?” (No congratulations), interview Qs: “are you married/single? any plans for marriage”.
— chosen by food. (@ruchi_marshal) December 11, 2020
I get paid less.
— Aparna Jain (@Aparna) December 10, 2020
i’m expected to be grateful for “freedom”, because it is something society has to grant to me.
— Mi (@milified) December 10, 2020
Conditioned to not look at gawky eyes staring at me and look somewhere else to avoid “problems”
— Anxious Human (@kavi_tweets) December 10, 2020
Was actually taught how to sit “properly” and not to laugh out loud.
— Nareal Chutney (@VeduVada) December 10, 2020
I am asked if my husband has allowed me to xyz.
— Antika अंतिका أنتيكا (@AShakdwipee) December 11, 2020
When I have to take a cab at night I share my cab details and my live location with someone and I keep Google Maps on.
— Hannah (@hann_abby) December 12, 2020
-Always beating myself up for the smallest of errors.
— Shruthi Malur (@nonstopbakbak) December 11, 2020
-Walking that razor thin line between being a full time working woman, and a mother
-Guilt eating me up most of the time
– Always the first one to reach out, check in, apologize et.all
-multitask like crazy. exhausting. ????
What would I know about politics, economy, current affairs or anything for that matter ????
— Riddhi Singh (@badassbrownmom) December 11, 2020
I am asked if my husband has allowed me to xyz.
— Antika अंतिका أنتيكا (@AShakdwipee) December 11, 2020
It is heartbreaking how many of us could easily relate to these women’s struggles. It is sad and disappointing how even after 73 years of our country being free, women are still struggling to live life with freedom. Our society still attempts to control them and expect them to follow regressive norms.