I always feel honored to see many women around me progressing, getting better education and making something out of them. You may call me biased as I get over-excited when given chance to share the achievements made by women especially from the vulnerable societies. It gives me sense of women empowerment and equality. To be honest, if I had to advocate on women empowerment be it in any field, I can do it round the clock without complaining. I always consider EDUCATION as the most important tool to empower women but it that it?? If yes then why do I see the trend of many educated women not allowed to make decisions?? Why they are being called illogical (in order words, they dont’ know anything) ? Are we missing something important???
Well, let me elucidate my reason for this curiosity. Today, I met an exceptionally intelligent and diligent bachelor degree holder, Ayesha. She is daughter of our close family friends who love to have their daughters being educated. I use to consider parents of Ayesha as very liberal and understanding. Ayesha told me that she had the same view but her perception has changed when she was refused to pursue masters in the field of her choice, “Mass communication”. She was forcefully registered in MS English program, as it was solely her parent’s choice. She discussed her desires, dreams and plans with her parents for mass communication but each time she failed to convince them. She even realised that they don’t have valid argument to deny her this opportunity and the only thing they want is the tag of “Masters”. When she resisted, her parents warned her, that if she have to pursue her studies she must go for English else she would have to quit her studies. Finally Ayesha went by her parents choice as the consequence of not getting further education is too much for her ,even though the last thing on the earth she wants to do is to teach. Trust me it was not a financial problem. Her father thinks that Ayesha is just a kid and not logical enough to make right decision and after all English will give her a good teaching career. REALLY, a bachelor degree holder who is passionate and focused cannot make decision??? Haven’t these 14 years of education empowered her to make her decision? Am I hearing this right? How can one be creative if he/she can’t make decisions of their own? In developed countries, students make decisions at their own even before they hit eighteen.
I feel so saddened that in in our society we are only excited about the education part and rarely empowering women on decision-making. Even after years of education , we believe that they don’t have enough sense to think good for themselves or solve a logical matter. In my view, education and empowerment polishes ones ability to make rational decision. Its fine it the decision doesn’t give you expected results after all we all are humans and failures are a natural learning process. After talking to Ayesha, I feel that when we talk of education empowerment we should not forget to highlight the power of Decision-making. After all, this is one of the gifts given to us by education.
Learning Randomly 