Face off

It seems to me when people discuss about their views for doing something ‘good’ for a woman – it’s kind of expression of benevolence or an extra favour to a woman.
I just ask myself – shouldn’t it be deserved as a human being, irrespective of sex.
I’ve heard people often refer how sensitive they are to their female co-workers at workplace, kind to the beneficiaries (I personally have reservation to this word, though) or help those who work at their homes.
We often preach the things that we don’t follow in our day to day life. I’m working in the development sector for years and still I feel that a man at ‘work place’ is not the same person in his ‘home’. Most of us live a ‘double life’.
A very recent experience of mine – I asked few of my male colleagues, who work for water, sanitation & hygiene (and menstrual hygiene management is an integral part of their portfolio) whether they’ve discussed about menstruation related issues with their daughters. The honest answers were ‘No’. Most of them referred – ‘it’s my wife’s affair’. Then I asked some of my female colleagues whether they’ve discussed the same with their sons. The replies were kind of similar. We claim ourselves development workers but my doubt remains how much we really reflect the development agenda, we are working for, in our personal lives!
Charity must begin at home! It must be our son who should be taught first, even before our daughter. Because it’s a natural phenomenon and his birth was possible just because his mother menstruated. He must internalise this. Only then, if he finds any friend, colleague or any woman for that matter, facing any awkward situation due to sudden menstruation, he can be the first person to come forward to help her.
Perhaps the best we can do – invest on our next generation. Can we not raise our next generation with the mindset of gender parity and respect? May be my own contribution to the society would be raising only two boys letting them know that the world is equally deserved by both female and male and both deserve equal respect. But if everyone nurture this believe from own family, the cumulative impacts will be enormous!