'My Papa knows everything'.
This is generally what most kids generally tend to believe (well, atleast in their formative years), before they are 9-10.
Before I proceed any further, I'd like you to go through this wonderful, insightful post by the extremely readable Prem Panicker.
Many a time, when we think of a more gender-equitable society, we think of simply ensuring that our women are not raped, looted or abused.
Well, it's like, if I am not a thief, it means I am a good man.
Sorry. Not necessarily.
If I am not a thief, all it means is that I am not a thief. Period.
To be a good man, I need to do many other things that a good person should do.
On the same lines, if we'd like to see a more equitable society that's respectful to our womenfolk (and that too, is also a critical benchmark that any truly 'developed' society/country must pass), even stopping all physical assaults against them does not suffice.
It means only physical assaults have stopped (though that too, seems a far cry away, as of now).
To be truly developed, sane and caring towards the respect and care our women need, they should also be cared for, and respected accordingly.
No demeaning language, no condescending attitude, no trivialisation - that's as important as anything else.
Let's strive to achieve this too, apart from just the physical security.
Till the time we make our women secure, confident and honored (both physically as well as emotionally), Papa will not know everything.
