A Woman’s Dignity Is Not Conditional
A woman's dignity is not defined by her marital status. A widow has dignity. A non virgin has dignity. A woman who has suffered sexual abuses has dignity. A woman who does not meet society’s superficial standards of desirability has dignity. A woman—whether she is 28 or 38—deserves respect and autonomy over her own body. Yet, in workplaces, in public spaces, and even in homes, many aged women are treated as though they are disposable. If she has lost something in life—whether it be her youth, her beauty, or her supposed "purity"—society discards her, leaving her vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. In many places, particularly in Pakistan, women who are past their youth face systemic dehumanization. Their original documents are taken from them—whether by employers or institutions—leaving them without the power to move forward in life. The C.E.O does not respect her. The manager does not respect her. The sweeper does not respect her. No one respect her. Because she i...