GAINFULLY ENGAGED - Ju quote

Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton has been advised by the Queen to take up a job as it would enhance the image of the Prince. NT checks out how the social perception has changed towards the working women

BARKHA MATHUR

Changing times


Noted author and playwright Manjula Padmanabham finds the term 'working women' strange. She says, "Majority of women around the world have been working for 18 hours a day, doing domestic chores. What has changed for the better now is that the women, who were earlier dependent on their parents or husbands, are now being encouraged to earn a living."
Supercop Kiran Bedi is a shining example of how women have dispelled myths about themselves and changed the way they are perceived. She says, "Women have realised the value of self-reliance. They educate themselves and go to work in order to be completely self-dependent. It is all about economic empowerment. Through this, they realise their inherent potential and create space for themselves and ultimately enhance social prosperity."

On a high

Giving a big thumbs up to working women is entrepreneur Radhika Mukherji, wife of singer Shaan. She feels that being self-reliant gives you a high. "I was a housewife for six years after marriage, till the time my son Soham grew up. It used to kill me whenever I was asked to mention my occupation and had to write 'housewife'. It is only when I opened a store of my own that I felt complete, in spite of the fact that I had my hands full managing home and kids. I think today women have learnt the art of balancing their home and career. Even men today flaunt a working wife."

Power dressing

The changing dressing style of working women is also making a statement these days. Well-known fashion designer Ritu Kumar endorses this fact. She says, "Since she is more exposed to different situations, a
working woman learns to get tough, develops an individualistic style and builds upon her confidence. This also reflects in the manner in which she dresses up herself. As a designer I have seen a sea change in the fashion trends that professional women follow and the trends that they set these days."