Patriarchy doesn't exist; that's a mere excuse due to the inefficiency of women.

Let us discuss in this post what exactly patriarchy is, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently mentioned. And how does it influence women in society?

In our lives, we've seen, heard, and experienced the word oppression several times. According to Sylvia Walby, women are the major victims of oppression. For example, a woman is expected to leave her job after marriage to focus completely on family responsibilities. It occurred to my cousin soon after she married. She previously worked as a successful data analyst at a well-known corporation. Despite her efforts to defend her rights and independence, the system proved unjust. She had to quit her well-paying job because she was a woman.

To spice up the topic, I interviewed my mother. Oh, oh, I'm sorry you can't stalk her LinkedIn profile because she does not have one. All she has is an Instagram account, and I am her constant stalker. Trust me, she is an incredible mompreneur with a total number of post-zero. Let's dive into the Q&A.

What is patriarchy, according to you?

According to me, patriarchy is clipping the wings of women, not letting them fly high, being extremely obedient to a father, incredibly submissive to a husband, and completely folding into a family.

Have you ever experienced patriarchy in your life?

Yes, I have experienced patriarchy in my life countless times, right from childhood. I was a top student and very studious during my school days; however, I was not allowed to pursue my higher education because of my gender and was forced to get married at the age of 18 to a well-educated man.

Do you feel that you are only the victim of patriarchy in society?

Certainly, I don't feel that I am only the victim of patriarchy. Many of my friends were forced by their parents to get married at the ages of 13 and 15, and most of them became mothers by 18. It has been a continuing problem for many generations. Even my mother was not allowed to study after her SSLC.

What are the consequences that you faced due to patriarchy?

I faced numerous consequences because of patriarchy and male dominance. I parted ways from my husband at the age of 29 due to a toxic marriage life, and since then I have been taking care of my children single-handedly. My family was not happy with my decision. They considered me a curse and an arrogant woman.

Do you feel that patriarchy is an excuse for your inefficiency?

I don't consider it an excuse. I never requested a marriage, and most importantly, my right to an education was entirely denied. I was also never allowed to say no to my parents. How could it be called inefficient when I was fully prepared to at least try?

What's your thought on FM Nirmala Sitharaman's statement?

I strongly disagree with her statement. Still, many women have been dealing with patriarchy, domestic violence, and gender inequality. Women's dreams are being killed. Maybe there is a percentage change, but that does not mean patriarchy does not exist. It does exist, and inefficiency is the unsophisticated term. Many potential women are still in a very conservative and patriarchal environment.

What's your advice to young women out there?

My advice to young women is to get married when you are mentally, physically, and financially prepared (PS: secured job with decent income). Develop resilience to overcome patriarchal instances in life. Be courageous and highly competitive.

As a result, we end this Q&A for the benefit of our readers. I hope you enjoy our work.