Why women need to unite and grow together

It is a known fact now that incidences of infertility is on the rise. And although infertility is not a 'women only' issue (male infertility is rising at a higher rate), yet the burden of being childless falls mostly on the woman, even in today's India. (Suggested reading - Women who wait)

Why though? Because women take it upon their head. As women, we are raised in a way that makes us believe that being childless is equivalent to being incomplete. The society around us, has set certain standards for us - starting from the ability to cook well, to getting married in around 25 years of age to producing children in about 1-2 years of marriage! And the unfortunate fact is that even women contribute towards this. 

Take any two women talking to each other, eventually the conversation will be directed to cooking, marriage, children, husbands - as if that was all there is to a woman's world. Stop and think why. 

Why should you ask a girl if she can cook? Do you ask the same of a boy? Did you ask her if she can breathe or think? What can you figure out about her abilities and intelligence, even if she answers in the affirmative? 

Why should you ask an unmarried girl of 28 - 'So when are you getting married?' Well, whenever she finds the right person and thinks she should. And if you are important to her, she will let you know about it when that happens. 

Why should you ask a married lady - 'So, are you expecting?' Like marriage, pregnancy is a very private thing. The married couple would decide when they are ready. And for all you know, they are battling serious problems in their life, which does not allow them to prepare for parenthood. If she is pregnant, you will eventually know, it is not something she can really hide. Why ask?

There are other important issues that you can talk about. A recent pan India study by Metropolis Healthcare indicates that about 1 in every 5 women in India faces a risk of PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular periods, problems with pregnancy and our changing lifestyles, stress - is contributing heavily to it.Why don't we discuss this?

Remember the study - that says Indian women are the most stressed? Chetan Bhagat had written an article about it which went viral. Why do we hold on to things? Speak about it, share your problems, watch out for each other. A study published more than a decade ago (see link here), said friendships among women are truly special. Women have more to gain from their friendships with other women than men do (with other men, I mean). So get up, get together with your gals and keep going ladies. And promise yourselves that you will rid your world of unnecessary questions.