Let’s talk about something that’s been a hard pill to swallow for way too long: the reality that women have to work three times harder than men to get the same recognition. Yes, you heard that right. No, it’s not just an exaggerated feminist claim – it’s the reality, straight from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s mouth. In a candid interview, Sitharaman stated that wherever women are – whether in school, college, the workplace, the army, media, you name it – they have to prove themselves three times more than their male counterparts just to get the same recognition.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Oh, this is just another whiny take on gender equality,” hear me out. This is not just a one-off statement – it’s an observation that has been glaringly true across decades of societal expectations. And while we’re all for pushing for equality, this is the reality women face every single day. The truth is that no matter how much progress we’ve made, the “extra hustle” still exists for women, and honestly? It’s exhausting.
The Unfair Game: Why Is It So Hard?
We like to think of ourselves as progressive, enlightened people. Women can vote, women can work, women can do everything – yes, but women still have to work so much harder to prove they’re just as capable. If you’re a woman, you’ve probably heard that at least a dozen times: “You’re good, for a woman,” or “You’re not like the others,” or even “How did you get this job?
Are you sure you belong here?” Every time a woman steps into a role, she’s not only expected to perform at the highest level, but she also has to break stereotypes, destroy prejudices, and fight off microaggressions. So, yeah – it’s not just about doing the job, it’s about carrying the weight of society’s expectations on your back.
Let’s break it down. In education, how many times do we hear that girls need to work harder to get into the same top colleges as their male peers? It’s not just about doing well on exams – it’s about excelling in a world that still undervalues the intellect of women. The same goes for workplaces, especially industries dominated by men.
Whether you’re a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or working in tech – women are often expected to go above and beyond just to earn the respect that comes naturally to their male counterparts. And if a woman does something well, it’s rarely seen as a natural outcome of competence. Instead, there’s this lingering skepticism: “She must’ve had some extra help,” or “Isn’t she lucky?”
Even in industries like media and politics, where women are slowly gaining ground, they have to face the constant battle of proving themselves – whether it’s battling sexism, handling sexist comments, or just not being taken seriously. Sitharaman’s words ring true across every corner of Indian society. It’s about constantly fighting for validation in a world that treats men as the default.
The “Inner Strength” You Need to Build
Now, you might be thinking, “If this is so difficult, then why don’t women just quit?” Well, that’s easier said than done. Society doesn’t exactly give them that luxury. And in Sitharaman’s interview, she pointed out that the unfairness is a part of life. Sounds harsh, right? But it’s not just her being blunt – it’s a reality check.
What’s the solution? According to her, it’s all about “building inner strength.” That’s right – while the world continues to throw obstacles at women, the way forward is through sheer perseverance. Inner strength means learning how to navigate the challenges, deal with the constant pressure to outperform, and push through with a relentless drive. For many women, it’s the only way to survive and thrive in environments that are built against them. You don’t get to have the luxury of taking things easy or giving up – not if you want to be recognized.
Sitharaman’s statement also highlights an important point: there’s no escaping the system that’s designed to make women fight harder. But, as annoying and draining as that sounds, it also explains the unstoppable resilience women often develop. When you’re forced to work harder, smarter, and more efficiently to prove yourself, you end up stronger and more capable than you ever thought possible.
The Power of Hustling: Are Women Really “Proving” Themselves?
Here’s the thing: why do women have to prove themselves to a system that should be treating them equally in the first place? Why is it that in 2023, women are still working overtime (literally) to get the same recognition as a man, even when they’re more than qualified? There’s a deeper, systemic issue at play here. It’s one that dates back centuries, and while we’ve made progress in many areas, it’s clear that gender bias is still prevalent in every corner of society.
Take the workplace, for example. You might have noticed that women tend to excel in every single metric you can think of – from problem-solving to multitasking – but for some reason, men still get the bigger roles, the higher salaries, and the bigger credit for work done. And it’s not just in leadership positions. Women in tech, science, education, and other industries are still battling stereotypes that undermine their potential. So, while women are proving themselves three times harder, the question remains: how long will this continue?
It’s Time to Demand More – For Everyone
Let’s stop pretending like this is a small issue. For every woman who’s had to prove her worth 10 times over, there’s a man who gets a free pass just for showing up. And if you think that doesn’t affect the larger picture, think again. Women who don’t get the recognition they deserve are less likely to rise to leadership positions, which in turn leads to fewer role models for the next generation. It creates a vicious cycle that continues to hinder progress.
It’s also high time that we start addressing this inequality not just in the workplace, but in schools, homes, and everywhere in between. Because building inner strength is important, yes. But it’s not enough. We need to build a system that doesn’t expect women to break themselves just to get the recognition they deserve. We need to build a world where equal opportunity and recognition are the baseline, not the exception.
At The End: A Long Road Ahead
So, while Nirmala Sitharaman’s words are sobering, they also serve as a call to action. Women shouldn’t have to “build inner strength” just to get by. They should be able to walk into any room, take any role, and be treated like an equal. The fact that this is still a battle in 2023 is frankly ridiculous. The road ahead might be long, but it’s a road that needs to be traveled – not just by women, but by everyone.
Until then, let’s stop pretending like gender equality has already arrived. It’s going to take a lot more than “inner strength” for women to break through the barriers built by years of inequality. But one thing’s for sure: women will continue to fight, and they will continue to rise – three times harder, and three times stronger.
