Whether you believe life comes from divine creation or the workings of nature, the
result is the same—a being born into one of two sexes: male or female, complimenting each other. From our earliest ancestors to the modern human race, men and women have woven the intricate fabric of society together. However, evolutionary pressures led to differences in their physical traits, which eventually influenced their roles, opportunities, and freedoms. These roles have been further shaped by cultural forces that often define their value based on power structures.
Fast forward to the 21st century, an era of progress and modernity. While we've built a society out of centuries of conflict and resolution, burdens and relief, women
continue to face challenges that stubbornly persist. The question that lingers is: how
much of what women endure is rooted in necessity, and how much is due to societal obligation? And in the face of these challenges, how have happiness and satisfaction evolved?Choice or Obligation?
Even with the strides toward equality, deep-rooted inequality between men and women remains. Whether in the household or the workplace, the invisible barriers they encounter are shaped by ingrained societal norms. Women live in many 'sub-worlds' within our larger world, each defined by unique experiences. What may seem like a restriction to one woman might be seen as normal by another. Mental conditioning, fuelled by cultural expectations, is so deeply embedded that challenging it all at once feels impossible—and could even bring chaos. What some see as protection feels like a restriction to others; love can become fear. As society evolves, so too do the rules that shape women’s experiences.
Patriarchy in the Modern World
Many claim we've moved past patriarchy, yet its influence lingers in subtle but
significant ways. In professional settings, women are encouraged to be assertive but are often labelled as 'aggressive' when they are. This constant need to prove their worth, to justify their place, is a burden men rarely face. However, at the grassroots level of developing worlds, many women are confined to one career option, whether it’s in warehouses, factories, or the kitchen-doing whatever they can to
make ends meet, often with no room for growth. While men might face similar economic barriers, the ties are different. Cultural fears, lack of confidence, anxiety, and limited job opportunities keep many women in these roles solely for financial survival. If they had grown free from these restrictions, their potential could be boundless. I am sure, some of us have seen our mothers return home from work, frustrated and drained? She deserves to vent-out at that point.
Stay-at-home mothers face a different kind of struggle. While they take on the role of primary caregiver, their professional dreams often take a backseat. Feminist ideals
might criticize them for not standing up for their own path, while they themselves
grapple with the inner conflict: "Should I get a job when I already have the responsibility of the family?" If someone else is already earning, is it necessary for her to work too?
When family responsibilities don’t conflict with her passions, she might feel fulfilled as a homemaker. But when the two collide, it can feel like a personal crisis—one that we on the outside often mislabel as 'sacrifice.' We glorify it, but for her, it can be a false sense of achievement, a barrier to true freedom. It's like being caught in a crowd at a concert, vibing with the beats, even though you don’t really like the music.
The Business of Sex: Necessity or Obligation?
Concept of commodification of a woman is an ancient unresolved aspect of society,
and sex work, often referred to as the world’s oldest profession, embodies this. While some choose to engage in this work, for many, it's a matter of survival. They act as if it's just fine, but the reality is that many were born into it or forced as children-continuing the tragic cycle of exploitation. This isn’t just a thing of the past; it's happening right now. And prostitution is far from the only form of commodification.
We see it on the streets—catcalling, groping, or the unsettling gazes that follow women wherever they go. It’s also rampant online, where women’s images are used without consent to build revenue-generating content. AI even creates explicit content, contributing more to it. Industries like pornography, adult entertainment, and even mainstream advertising perpetuate these harmful stereotypes. Sure, some women might claim they’ve chosen this path, but is it really a choice when the alternatives are so limited and large demand sitting on it?
Human Trafficking and Child Slavery
Human trafficking and child sex slavery remain among the darkest realities faced by
women and girls today. This global crisis, which exploits poverty, lack of education,
gender inequality, and weak law enforcement, affects millions worldwide. Victims,
often trapped in cycles of exploitation, have little chance of escape. In 2023, an
estimated one million children were trafficked globally, with significant hotspots in regions such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America—though these crimes are far from rare elsewhere. Women and girls disproportionately suffer been most trafficked, making up 79% of those trafficked for sexual exploitation.
Surprisingly, there are significant number of women involved in the trafficking
according to the reports, highlighting the complexity of the issue. Weak legal systems
and corruption allow these crimes to thrive. The health impact on victims is severe-
many suffer from physical abuse, psychological trauma, and long-term health
problems. This exploitation doesn’t just destroy lives; it exposes a global failure to
protect the most vulnerable. Addressing human trafficking requires stronger law
enforcement, better social protections, and support for victims.
Media: Empowerment or Conformity?
Social media, once seen as a tool for empowerment, has now become a double-edged
sword. While it offers women a platform to express themselves, it has also been
creating unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and femininity. Women are often
judged for their looks, choices, and achievements, feeling pressure to conform to what
gets the most 'likes' and 'shares.' This constant need for validation diminishes self-
worth, making it harder for women to distinguish between choices and societal
obligations.
The media plays a big role in shaping how society views women, often focusing on
surface-level traits instead of their individuality. Instead of highlighting women’s
achievements or choices, media platforms tend to emphasize looks, behaviour and lifestyle decisions.
Whether it’s about how women dress, their relationships, or family
choices, these topics are turned into public debates, creating unnecessary pressure. This type of coverage makes women feel judged just for being themselves, making it harder for them to make personal choices without outside interference. Media outlets often go for sensationalism, reducing the complexity of women’s lives to overly simple stories. As a result, women are left with little room to make decisions based on their own needs, instead feeling forced into roles defined by others.
Disruptions Between Sub-Worlds
Women live in many different "sub-worlds" within the larger society, each with its own
rules and expectations. As some women try to move from more restrictive
environments into spaces of freedom and opportunity, they often face cultural barriers
that slow their progress. Issues like quality of education, variation in cultures,
pornography, some portrayals in media, and ignorance and misconceptions about
women’s health spread damaging ideas, making it harder for women to escape
patriarchal limitations.
The problem arises when the values and perceptions of these sub-worlds collide—
often through mass media or social interactions that, while beneficial in some ways,
can also disrupt societies. In many men's worlds, exposure to these realities is limited,
often combined with a lack of modern sex education and the fading of older teachings
in the rush toward modernity. Taboos and closed mindsets, hidden under the guise of
"traditional values," create friction when confronted with these evolving norms.
Men aren’t born vultures; they are shaped by their environments. This dynamic exists
not only between cities and rural areas but also between developed and developing
nations, across social classes, wealth, and even religious beliefs—each linked by a
shared cycle of misunderstanding and exploitation.
To Conclude: Are We Truly Free?
In today’s world, where the lines between progress and tradition are blurred, the
challenges women face are often intertwined with necessity and obligation. Patriarchal
systems, economic disparity, media manipulation, and cultural expectations still exert
pressure on women, shaping their lives in ways that may limit their freedom. So, are
women really making choices for themselves? Or are their lives dictated by obligations
that are disguised as choices they never really had?
In the end, the question remains: in today’s world, how much of what women endure
is out of necessity, and how much is due to obligation?
