Much is being written about women’s right to work and equal pay, to become active members of society and have a say in the running of their country’s affairs. But on the other side there are women who view these matters realistically, knowing you can’t achieve all that you dream of in just one day.
All that these women really want at this stage is to have the right to share a meal with their husbands and other family members in a restaurant or public place without being harassed.
In a letter published recently by a local newspaper, one woman wrote that before talking about human rights and the establishment of special commissions for this purpose, emphasis should focus on ensuring that women are treated with respect in public places.
The woman described how one day she went out to buy dinner for her family from a local restaurant. The restaurant has an air-conditioned hall with tables and chairs reserved for men only. For a woman to order, she has to go to a small window at a remote corner of the building and then wait for her order outside in the street or with the driver in her car.
“Wouldn’t be better if some respect for women was shown by providing a suitable place for them, like the one reserved for men, with chairs and tables, where they can wait to be served?” asked the lady.
The main issue here is showing some respect. Some women do not even aspire to everything that is being so hotly debated in the media. For them, some commentators may have gone too far, demanding the maximum rights at a time when even a little is hard to come by.
Treating women with respect is an obligation. Is it too much to ask for some respect to be shown to our mothers, sisters and daughters?
Some may ask: what is it that makes a woman venture outside her home and go shopping by herself? Those who raise such questions seem to live in a different world, a world where they have all the luxuries they want. Not all women belong to the rich class. Some don’t have male guardians to take care of their needs.
