Cracking the patriarchal prism

The time has come to retire the male gaze, to listen, to understand, and to transform.
| Photo Credit: SREEJITH R. KUMAR

Recently, I was reading a judgment authored by Hon’ble Justice Manjula of the Madras High Court in Dr. Supraja vs State pertaining to sexual harassment of women at the workplace and how far the existing law is effective in handling this serious issue. The judge has raised a very interesting and important perspective and that is to look at the problem from a woman’s perspective or apply the standard of a reasonable woman.

I also read the observations made by Hon’ble Justice B.V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court in a case relating to dismissal of a woman judge whose case disposal came down since she was suffering from the effects of a miscarriage. “I wish men had menstruation, then only they would understand,” Justice Nagarathna had observed.

I happened to read an article by Elizabeth Seshadri, an advocate practising in the Madras High Court, on what society must undertake to break the cycle of sexual abuse. The author advocates for accelerated action by teaching boys empathy, respect, and understanding from childhood in a formalised curriculum. In the intricate amalgams of gender dynamics, the clarion call for understanding women’s perspectives emerges as a profound necessity. The journey towards gender equality must transcend mere legal frameworks and requires a reimagining of societal consciousness.

Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata serve as powerful historical markers revealing how deeply patriarchal perspectives have marginalised women’s experiences. These narratives, in my opinion, have fundamentally reduced women to objects of male narrative rather than autonomous individuals. In the Ramayana, Sita’s journey — her forced exile and humiliating agnipariksha (trial by fire) symbolising the profound lack of agency women experienced — powerfully demonstrates women’s systemic struggles. The Mahabharata presents even more stark examples of women’s objectification. Draupadi, treated as a “communal drinking cup” and property to be wagered, represents the brutal commodification of women. She was publicly disrobed in the royal assembly, starkly illustrating how women were perceived as tools for male revenge and humiliation.

Sexual harassment and gender-based violence are not isolated incidents but systemic manifestations of deeply entrenched patriarchal mindsets. The perspectives shared by Justice Manjula, Justice Nagarathna, and Ms. Seshadri illuminate the critical need for a paradigm shift — from viewing women’s experiences through a male lens to genuinely comprehending their lived realities.

Women’s viewpoint

Justice Manjula’s landmark observation in Dr. Supraja vs State specifically emphasises applying the “standard of a reasonable woman” when examining workplace sexual harassment — a revolutionary perspective that demands understanding experiences from women’s viewpoints rather than male-centric interpretations. Justice Nagarathna’s strong observation powerfully challenges men to step outside their privileged perspectives and genuinely empathise with women’s experiences. This statement cuts through superficial understanding and demands experiential empathy.

The shocking revelations in cases such as the Gisela Pelicot incident underscore the disturbing reality that perpetrators of sexual violence are not monstrous strangers but often respected members of society — fathers, husbands, professionals who occupy positions of trust. This challenges the simplistic narrative of the “sexual predator” and demands a more nuanced understanding of systemic gender violence. Ms. Seshadri’s analysis of the Pelicot case reveals that the perpetrators ranged from 27 to 74 in age, and they included fathers, husbands, prison guards, and IT professionals, demonstrating that sexual violence transcends stereotypical boundaries of criminality.

Education emerges as the most potent weapon in dismantling patriarchal constructs. Consent, emotional intelligence, and gender sensitivity should be core components of educational curricula, not peripheral discussions. The goal is not to elevate women to pedestals of worship but to recognise their fundamental human dignity. Women are not goddesses to be worshipped or objects to be controlled, but equal human beings deserving respect, autonomy, and opportunities.

Philosophers such as Simone de Beauvoir argued that “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”, highlighting how societal constructs shape gender experiences. Feminist thinkers have consistently emphasised that true liberation requires dismantling systemic oppression.

The path forward demands collective responsibility. Men must become active allies, not passive observers. They must challenge toxic masculinity, call out discriminatory behaviours, and create spaces where women can thrive without fear or compromise. The emerging field of neuroplasticity offers a groundbreaking pathway to genuine gender understanding. Neuroscience reveals that male cognitive frameworks are not immutably fixed but remarkably adaptable, presenting a revolutionary approach to comprehending women’s experiences. Neuroplasticity research demonstrates that male brains can be intentionally reshaped through targeted interventions.

The brain’s remarkable capacity for neural reconfiguration means that patriarchal perspectives are not destiny, but malleable constructs that can be systematically dismantled and reconstructed.

In the words of Maya Angelou, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, she stands up for all women.” This collective uprising requires men to retire outdated perspectives, embrace empathy, and commit to genuine transformation. The revolution begins with understanding — not from a position of superiority but from a place of humble, genuine listening. It demands a complete recalibration of societal perspectives, challenging centuries of male-dominated narratives and creating space for authentic, unfiltered women’s experiences. The time has come to retire the male gaze, to listen, to understand, and to transform.

(The author is a judge of the Madras High Court)

anaushram44@gmail.com