Women's Struggles in an Alien Landscape

Being an alien, despite being a part of it for more than a decade, we still labeled as an outsider. Women are confronting the harsh realities of survival in an environment where men are considered superior and assigned dominant roles. My piece aims to highlight the challenges that women have had to endure due to their involvement in call center agencies, particularly as night shift workers. In addition to contending with the predominant male presence in the field, these women also face invasion into their personal spaces. They are often subjected to cultural threats, as their presence is perceived as a challenge to the male-dominated milieu. This situation has led to a degradation of their dignity, with some taking advantage of their vulnerabilities. I will delve into the problems these women encounter while working in call centers and shed light on the issues they endure.

Workforce Sexism

Despite numerous amendments in bills for women's protection and efforts to break down gender barriers, certain practices still maintain a firm grip within the workforce. This continuous threat looms over women like a haunting shadow, persisting even though they were the initiators of the struggle for their rights. The first challenge women face is stepping out of their homes—a bold move that challenges cultural norms and pushes toward a working women's revolution. The second hurdle is working the night shift to support their livelihoods, bearing the brunt of societal criticism. They enter an industry where men traditionally reign, facing constant scrutiny and uncomfortable advances. I've come to know a young woman who ventured into this field as a novice part-timer. She had to endure unwelcome attention from her superiors who gave her unsolicited favors, lurking around her like vultures to carrion. Despite her discomfort, she's compelled to tolerate it, driven by the lack of alternative options to cover her expenses. Unfortunately, this industry often exploits people's difficulties and miseries. Women are forced to endure these demeaning situations, as the industry is dominated by a male chauvinistic mindset that sees women who leave their homes as fair game for exploitation by men.

Bigger roles

Another major issue that women often have to contend with is the challenge of competing for higher roles within the industry. Traditionally, women have been confined to managerial roles and rarely manage to ascend to positions beyond that. This is due to the persisting patriarchal mindset that wrongly assumes women are not suitable for greater responsibilities. Such a mindset fails to recognize that women are exceptional multitaskers, juggling both their careers and family obligations simultaneously, working around the clock every day. In stark contrast, men often work fewer hours but tend to perceive themselves as superior and entitled to dominate women.

While men might be perceived as having stronger minds and better emotional control, women possess an innate ability to adapt to a diverse range of roles and excel in each one. However, I have also observed that the highest positions often seem to be reserved for those who have some form of influence behind the scenes. In simpler terms, women are sometimes compelled to go to great lengths to secure these top positions. This unfortunate reality illustrates that women are only able to reach the highest echelons of the industry when they have some form of hidden advantage. Otherwise, their talent and potential often go unnoticed and underutilized. It is a disheartening scenario where deserving women are often overshadowed due to factors beyond their skills and capabilities.

Belittling of Gender

One of the major whips that women receive is the tendency to belittle their gender. If something goes wrong, it's often attributed to being done by a woman, as if it were predestined. For instance, in cases of accidents where the driver happens to be a woman, the immediate reaction is to point fingers and say, "Oh, a woman was driving, no wonder it happened." Women face such backlashes in almost every aspect of our lives. We hear it, endure it, and simultaneously work to rise above it for our own improvement.

In certain industries, there exists a belief that women are inherently weaker, making them less capable of performing as well as men. This misguided notion blinds them to the fact that women's strength lies not just in their physical makeup but also in their mental prowess. Beyond our biological differences, women are in no way inferior to men. If a man can excel in his work, so can a woman. Our gender shouldn't hinder our progress towards self-improvement. It's high time we recognize and shatter these limiting stereotypes that only hold us back from achieving our full potential.

Long Journed Ahead

The struggle that commences with our birth is a persistent journey, one that appears unlikely to conclude anytime soon. However, as women, our role is to persevere in the battles we sometimes wage within ourselves and against those who cast obstacles in our path. We cannot afford to halt or become lethargic, nor can we allow ourselves to succumb to despair. The road ahead is long, extending far beyond the horizons of today. Our collective efforts, even in the face of adversity, have the potential to create a path for future generations of women.

These struggles, while arduous, serve as stepping stones for the women who will follow in our footsteps. For those still under the shadow of a world that seeks to exploit and harm them, our efforts become a glimmer of hope. It is my fervent aspiration that, someday, men will truly perceive women as individuals, not objects to be manipulated for personal gain. This shift in perspective would mark a pivotal moment, ushering in a future where such harmful notions no longer hold sway. As we navigate this complex journey, we must hold onto the hope that our endeavors will lead to a world where women are recognized, celebrated, and empowered to shape their destinies without constraint.