Pandemic and Patriarchy

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While 12th March, 2020’s order to extend the mid-sem break till 31st March, 2020 was embraced by many, there was also a group of people who were hoping and praying that the University of Delhi will not agree to the Delhi Government’s order and colleges will remain open. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

For many, the Lockdown begun with trying out new things, exploring personal interests, trying hands on things they like: cooking, painting, gardening, making dalgona Coffee, etc. while for many the Lockdown imposed unwanted duties and burden. For them cooking, gardening was not a choice, rather the mere duties which were imposed on them only because of their gender.

Pandemic and Patriarchy. They go hand-in-hand.


Patriarchy is a system that favours male, patriarchal lines over female and gender non-conforming groups. This piece is very close to my heart, as being a woman; I have been exposed to folds of patriarchy in this pandemic. I am certainly aware that there have been struggles of gender non-conforming groups, however; I can only provide the experiences that I have experienced as a victim of patriarchy because of the gender I come from, but that surely does not nullify other struggles. Before I start with the article, I would also like to mention that I am well aware how patriarchy has crippled men also, it has put barrier on them, barrier of self-expression, a pressure to act “manly”; however through this article I would like to exercise my right to write my own narrative, and for those who feel the same way as I do.

Being a woman, as I have mentioned before, has exposed me to the age old patriarchy in this pandemic. Starting from the beginning of the day, till the day ends, all I can think of is, how I am going to fit my hobbies in the tight-schedule of household chores that I am already doing. What makes me feel horrible is when I talk to my male friends and they tell me about all the interesting things they have been doing throughout the day. They can wake up whenever they want, can grab a lunch and have dinner whenever they want, can do whatever they want, some do not even have to come out of their room for the whole day and can enjoy their privacy! Last but not the least THEY HAVE THE TIME TO GET BORED!

Getting bored is a privilege. At least for me it is. I find myself surrounded with so much household chores that I do not have time for myself, let alone time to get bored. I bet many can relate with this. Patriarchy has been embedded in our families so much so that they do not even realise that whatever is happening, is wrong! Many families fail to understand that expecting their daughters to work at household chores, while their sons can do whatever they want is wrong!

And what is even more problematic is when we, the daughters, finally get the courage to confront them; we are told that we are being disrespectful towards our elders and in the name of love, care, family, respect and the same conditioning from over and over again, we become shush!

What I realised during the pandemic is, I am not alone. Many women at home cannot call their friends, and if they do, they are taunted for spending so much time talking to their friends and not giving time out for their families. And god forbid if a woman dares to leave the room and get some privacy to talk, she will be thrashed with the series of taunts and incidents from past that has happened to her because she was careless towards her family, studies, life, career and the list will go on. But again, it is not wrong, is it? Because, aisa hi hota aya hai and ye to hum tumhari bhalai ke liye keh rahe hai. And if all of this fails, then comes the best one, hum tumhare ma-baap hai isliye samjha rahe hai, jab tum kisi aur ke ghar jaogi, tab tumko samajh ayega ke hum sahi the.

In this culture, women are not considered human beings; they are either compared with animals, or considered sexual objects or property that always needs surveillance. Whatever little freedom I had before Corona, has now been taken away, for God knows how long. I am sure college gave me and many women the limited amount of freedom which we were deprived off our whole life, and thanks to Corona, we are back at it again!

Ever since college has started in the online mode, it has become even more difficult to balance personal, professional and familial life while sitting at home. Honestly, it has never been this horrible, given that our university does not leave a chance to mentally harass us with fall outs of the OBE or faults in the academic report card and its reputation of a non-cooperating institution is obviously a cherry on top!

And as I come to the end of this article, I am already calculating and strategising as to how am I going to take the next class and manage the chores I have been assigned.

If you have it figured out, let me know! ;)

photo source: yourstory.com| http://therealspiel.blogspot.com/

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Author:



Ishita Roy
3rd Year, History Hons. KMC

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