The students of Journalism, Department of English, attended a 2-hour long session on “Women’s Empowerment: A Myth or Challenge in Contemporary India” by Dr Sr Shalini Mulackal, Professor of Systematic Theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi, on October 22, 2021. The talk revealed various insights into power dynamics that play a crucial role in gender issues, and was followed by interaction with students.
Women’s empowerment faces a number of challenges in contemporary India, especially since gender issues and equality are considered as merely concerns raised by feminist groups. Sr Shalini exposed the truth behind the myth and challenge of empowering women in Indian society. In her words, “Empowerment is still partly a myth. Even if I am empowered, society is not. It is still backward. We are two hundred years behind when we consider ideologies. We cannot sit back and say that our generation is fine. We are still in a society with patriarchal attitudes, where our empowerment is questioned and the whole system is in favour of men.”
She asked the students, “how many of us can respond positively to the question ‘are you an empowered woman?’” After a couple of shaky responses, she replied that hesitancy was a sign of not being empowered enough, whereas confidence is a vital part of empowerment. And awareness and knowledge play an important role in increasing one’s confidence. “The more you know, the more your self-confidence grows,” she said.
Sr Shalini talked about the need to understand power and its different facets. Power, according to her, is at the root of discrimination. Patriarchal society defines ‘power’ in a singular sense as power over something. This kind of power involves domination, oppression and subordination, combined with the threat of violence and intimidation. Power is perceived generally in this sense.
But there are three other attributes of power that Sr Shalini emphasised based on the feminine principle, which is both creative and nurturing. In other words it is the power of a mother who empowers her child from infancy to adulthood.
First is the ‘power to’. It is the power to do something, the ability to act and control our lives, and the authority for decision-making.
Second is ‘power with’. It is the collective power to educate, organise, agitate, empower and help one another.
Third is ‘power within’. It is seen as true empowerment, awareness, self-confidence and assertiveness. Sr Shalini added, "Assertiveness is not aggression. You don't have to raise your voice, just tell them you want this and be firm."
The misconception of power, prevalent for ages in the patriarchal system of our society, has been redefined. "God is an all-empowering Spirit but not a controlling Spirit," she added. "God never wanted us to control or be controlled by anyone or anything. Everything works on the principle of 'free will'. No control is acceptable."
Sr Shalini’s concluding words were on the need for empowerment and feminism, "True empowerment is about liberating both men and women from oppressive attitudes and structures. Feminism is pro-human; it is not just for humanity but for the environment and universe as well."
Sr Shalini belongs to the order of Presentation Sisters, and is actively involved in social issues affecting the poor, and women in particular. After completing Masters in Theology, she went on to complete her doctoral research from University of Madras. She is a member of the Indian Theological Association (ITA) and served as its first woman President. She is also a visiting professor at a number of seminaries and theological institutes, has edited three books and published a number of articles. Her works include a contribution to the Dalit Bible Commentary Series. She is the Chairperson of the Centre for Dalit Studies (CDS), Delhi.
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