Have you ever paused to wonder how much of your life is shaped by invisible rules—rules that, for so long, you believed are just normal? The quiet sacrifices you make, the dreams you tuck away, the small ways you bend yourself to fit into a world that often asks too much of you, where you don’t get a chance to be yourself completely but in versions of you that you had to mould. It’s heartbreaking to think about how one gender of all faces this prejudice more and scarier to see this gap widening globally. Many women live their lives within these unspoken boundaries, never fully realising how much they are capable of, how extraordinary they truly are. They never get a chance to. Worst of all is how they have realised it to be it and a norm.

We cannot completely blame our generations for setting these standards. It’s been a fight and a fight of generations. The exposure that we have, the access of knowledge, awareness that we have is unmatched to what our previous generations have had. They had their fair share of fights now we have ours. But what worst is to see that even today – our present generation has normalised a lot of these factors & gaps. And they aren’t even aware that it’s wrong. They continue doing what they do, pushing themselves hard that they don’t even know about. They just keep continuing. Unknowingly.

The gap of inequality between these two specific genders that we are referring here is narrowing a bit. But thats because of how many of us are fighting the fight and standing up to what is needed. But the beauty to see is – how one gender is doing bare minimum to what they should anyways be doing and now making a sound of it as if wow – “we are progressive.” And the cherry on it? – Women are normalising it and getting satisfied.

What is the fear? Are we still living with the conception of how men are required for women to live, to provide or to breathe for that matter. Why are women not standing up? Why are women not asking more? Why are they normalising what they shouldn’t, why are they fighting hard for whats not needed? Because they have seen so in their families, circle, groups. And they are challenging the norms but are being satisfied with peanuts.

What’s disturbing is to see that many don’t even have the realisation that they’re being held back. The weight of patriarchy is so heavy, so deeply ingrained, that it feels like a part of life, a part of culture. But should it be?

In many cultures, including India, women have historically and I’d say till today been confined by roles defined by others, it has just taken a different shape—roles that prioritise obedience, sacrifice, and modesty above their personal dreams and aspirations or be it their daily routine. For many women, these constraints are so ingrained that they don’t even realise they are being held back. The tragic part is how often these norms are internalised, and accepted as “the way things are,” when in reality, they serve the convenience and power of a few individuals and that is quite evident in many families as well.

Stories like Laapata Ladies, Little Women, English Vinglish, and Lipstick Under My Burkha shine a spotlight on these very constraints. They touch on this so powerfully where women are the protagonists. These aren’t just fictional stories—they are reflections of real lives, they portray women who, through various struggles, begin to challenge the norms that bind them. In English Vinglish, Shashi, a housewife, learns English not just to speak a new language but to reclaim her voice in a household that dismisses her contributions. In Lipstick Under My Burkha, women from different walks of life grapple with the silent oppression they face daily, women who, despite their dreams, are boxed in by society’s expectations, struggling to find a voice in a world that prefers they remain silent and each of them, in their own way, breaks free. And we can’t skip the new depiction: “Mrs.”

These stories resonate deeply because they speak to a larger truth: when women break free of this loop and realise the power they hold, the possibilities are unsurprisingly endless. And yet, for every woman who finds her voice, there are countless others still navigating the narrow path dictated by cultural expectations. Many justify these limitations in the name of tradition or cultural preservation. There is, of course, beauty and value in culture, in holding onto the practices and customs that shape identity and community – but when those norms come at the expense of equality, when they force one gender to compromise more than the other, it’s time to rethink what truly needs preserving.

The iconic character – Rani; Kangana Ranaut’s character, in the film Queen. She is left heartbroken when her fiancé abruptly calls off their wedding, deeming her too “Indian” and not modern enough. In this moment of rejection, Rani makes a bold decision — instead of wallowing in despair, she embarks on a solo journey abroad, a journey to discover who she really is. This trip transforms her life, introducing her to new friends, cultures, and experiences that empower her in unexpected ways which she never thought ever existed. She meets people who remind her of her strength, of her worth, and by the end of it all, she finds something so much more precious than love—she finds herself. By the end of the film, Rani has blossomed into a self-sufficient, confident woman who no longer seeks validation from her fiancé. When he returns, wanting her back after witnessing her newfound strength, she boldly rejects him, knowing she is no longer the same woman who once sought his approval, she simply walks away. That is power. That is freedom.

This. This story tells the power of freedom, independence, giving space to someone to bloom, to recognise themselves, to see what they are capable of, what all they can do, what their powers are! But that comes at a cost. You need to choose your battles and to have a will of what matters to you. You need to break the confinements and see whats there for you, what can you do, and live a life that means to you, satisfactory for you, contended for you.

Rani’s transformation is emblematic of a broader, ongoing shift in how women are portrayed, and how they are now living their lives in the real world. Stories like Queen show that when women are equal to the freedom to explore, learn, and grow, they become unstoppable forces of change. They realize their intrinsic value, their skills, and the profound impact they can make, not just in their personal lives but on society at large.

But here’s the thing—so many women never get that moment. They never realise they can walk away from the expectations society places on them. They continue to carry the weight of traditions that serve others more than themselves, traditions that ask them to be less, to give more, and to compromise endlessly, be it their work, their leisure, or their life choices.

This empowerment often comes in contrast to deep-rooted societal norms, especially in patriarchal structures. This is why, now more than ever, we need to challenge these deep-rooted beliefs. Yes, culture and tradition are beautiful, but when they ask one gender to compromise more than the other, we need to ask ourselves—are we being fair? It’s not about rejecting our roots; it’s about finding balance. It’s about giving women the space to choose what feels right for them, rather than being told what they can or cannot do.

The narratives of women, whether through films or real-life examples, show us that when given the opportunity, women will rise. They will become more independent, skilled, and full of purpose. They will build communities, lead businesses, and transform societies. The strength of a woman lies not in conforming to the roles prescribed to her but in discovering who she is, free of limitations.

Empowering women is not about discarding culture; it’s about evolving it. It’s about ensuring that cultural values uplift everyone equally, rather than stifling potential for the sake of comfort or convenience. The world is changing, and so too should the way we view gender roles and expectations.

We are in a moment of change. Women in India and across the world are beginning to question the roles they’ve been handed, they are learning to say no to what no longer serves them, and they are stepping into their power—often for the first time. And that journey, while difficult, is so incredibly beautiful and is upon us as a community to provide that space and will to explore, see and thrive.

Now, more than ever, we need to support and facilitate this development. Patriarchy runs deep, and for many, the restrictions on women feel “normal” because they are woven into everyday life. But as more women like Rani, Shashi, and countless others take their stand, it’s becoming clear that what is “normal” isn’t always what is right.

It becomes imperative now as we move ahead, to uplift, empower & duly recognise the role that these equally capable women can make and the world we can create to step into their potential without the weight of societal expectations. A world where everyone, regardless of gender, thrives.

#BreakTheNorms #WomenRising #EmpowermentNow #ChangingNarratives

Ps. Everything written or expressed isn’t directed to anyone or targeted and is just a thought of expressions & opinion as a self – subject to each & everyone’s understanding of the context and content.