The commodification of women is sad, feels social activist Ilina Sen
The commodification of women is sad, feels social activist Ilina Sen
Hersu00a0is the story of a lone ranger, fighting a lonely battle. Hers is the battle for emancipation -- for her husband Dr Binayak Sen who has been accused and jailed for allegedly conspiring against the State. 
Meet Ilina Sen, wife of activist Dr Binayak Sen, who has been fighting a legal battle for years against the State to get her husband back to normal life, free of all charges. MiDDAY caught up with the lady, an activist herself who works for the poor, and her views on the condition of women, the discrimination and hardships that they face, the significance of International Women's Day and more. Here are excerpts:
Given the condition of women in our country, have you ever felt bad about being a woman?
For me, being a woman has been an enriching experience. I love being a woman. Even in the
period of crises, when I was fighting against the system and the State to seek justice for my husband Dr Binayak Sen, it is my women friends who supported me. Also, being the mother of two daughters is another fulfilling experience.
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Do you think picking out one day in the calendar and celebrating it as International Women's Day is justified?
It is not just one day, every day belongs to us women. What we know today as International Women's Day was originally about celebrating the victory of women textile workers in the United States who fought for their rights and got them too after much struggle. March 8 was originally known as International Working Women's Day.
I still prefer the old name because I feel it reminds us of what we are actually celebrating. However, I also believe that the world belongs to everybody. So it is not merely about celebrating one day.
Have you ever felt discriminated against in any way because of your gender?
There is a lot of discrimination against women all over, be it professionally or even in families. For instance, the choices for a girl child are always different from those for a male child. I come from a middle-class Bengali family. While I have always received love and support from them, it is also true that I have chalked my own path. People put in a lot more planning and energy in shaping up a male child's career. But this is the challenge for every girl.
What do you think about the condition of women in our society at present?
There are two different ways of looking at it. If you look through the prism of patriarchy, then women are perceived to be dependent. They are always somebody's daughter, somebody's wife, somebody's mother. There is no separate identity. Besides, women are also seen as sex objects. Their bodies are used to sell everything -- from soaps to cars to clothing. The entire Page 3 culture stems from women who are half-naked in barely there clothes. So the commodification of women is sad.Again, in spite of India being a democracy for so many years now, the remnants of theocracy are sad. Things like khap Panchayats and honour killings are depressing. In tribal areas, there is a strong belief in witchcraft. Once a woman is identified and branded as a witch, she is treated badly. And sometimes even burnt alive. Then again, women's own perceptions about themselves need to change.
You have fought, mostly, a lone battle to get justice for Dr Sen. Did you come across any discriminating attitude during the entire time?
I have been fighting a lone battle. So far, I have done my best. But I have faced hostility lots of times even in the trial courts. I have been there in every step and looked into things myself even as a case was being cooked up against my husband. The attitude there (in the courts) was how can a woman go on like this.
And since I have tried to get into the things and not asked "Bhaiya yeh kya hain" or taken help from men, several times attempts have been made to malign me. I have been discriminated against for being a confident woman. This is what has been held against me.
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