A bumpy tale

Earlier this week, Amal Clooney, an international human rights lawyer, went to the United Nations to deliver a speech on genocide in the Islamic State.

Amal, who’s expecting twins with husband-actor George Clooney, is also known for fighting for refugees, rape victims and women who have been trafficked for sex. But for most tabloids, the difference she’s making seemed to be of no importance.

In the reports, her speech was overshadowed by accounts of her baby bump and her footwear. While some appreciated her look, others slammed her for wearing heels during pregnancy.

Aruna Bahuguna, IPS officer and the first woman director of National Police Academy, says, “It’s very unfortunate that they are neglecting the important issue that Amal spoke about. I cannot believe that the attention from her speech on an issue such as genocide is being diverted to things such as her baby bump and heels. What she wears is nobody’s business. It is high time that the society takes women more seriously, and doesn’t judge them only for their physical appearance.”

Similarly, most female athletes are judged for their appearances instead of their achievements. Says badminton star Jwala Gutta, “Women are always judged by how they look and dress. Her opinion is not taken seriously at all. The Amal Clooney incident is very disappointing. Why discuss her appearance, when there’s so much more that’s important about her?”

Politician Renuka Chowdhury says, “Women face a lot of challenges and are expected to be better than men to be acknowledged as achievers. Amal Clooney has achieved a lot more than most average men, and she needs to be respected for it. The fact that she was reduced to heels and the dress she was wearing, shows how biased and retarded the society is.”

Ira Mukhoty, the author of Heroines: Powerful Indian Women of Myth and History, has explored through her research, the portrayal of women, right from the war times.

She explains how the patriarchal mindset is ingrained in our society and that there are barely any women rulers or leaders written about in history books.

In Amal’s case, Ira adds, “It is very unfortunate to see how even in the so-called ‘developed’ western societies, a woman is reduced to her appearance alone. The first instinct is to judge a woman based on her looks as many cannot digest to see a strong woman in a powerful position. They find it easier to contain them within these maternal roles.”

Ira adds that the only way that women can break out of these boxes they’re put in, is by continuing to do their jobs and not let the judgments bother them.

Another author, Adite Banerjie, says, “Women always get the shorter end of the stick. Our opinion is not given the kind of importance it deserves. Even when women from the entertainment industry talk about an important issue, the focus in most of the cases is diverted towards their looks.”