The Great Indian Review of Books

Every March, as Women's Day approaches, companies roll out pink-themed discounts, social media gets flooded with “girl power” slogans, and LinkedIn lights up with posts about “strong women” (mostly written by men who still expect their wives to handle all household chores). But let’s be honest—empowerment isn’t about a hashtag, a miniskirt, or a token promotion. It’s about something deeper: real choices, real respect, and real equality. Women don’t need society to grant them freedom like it’s a festival offer. They need the space to make their own choices—without scrutiny, without unsolicited advice, and definitely without emotional blackmail. Want to get married at 40? Great. Want to stay single? Equally great. Want to leave a high-paying job to become a painter? Go for it. The point is, women should not have to justify their choices—whether it’s career, marriage, motherhood, or lifestyle. And can we please retire the sartorial hypocrisy? A woman in a miniskir t is “too modern.” A...