Fair warning, this piece is not meant to glorify Thatcherism or, for that matter, any political ideology. This piece tries to identify labels attached to successful women and how they may be inherently misogynistic.
"Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead" reverberates through London's streets, interrupted only by the occasional drizzle. It is April 8th 2013. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is dead.
Throughout history, society has demonised courageous women to break them down. Women, they teach us, must be gentle and diplomatic, graceful even during the worst. If she dares to step up and reclaim her voice, stones are hurled, accusations made, and she is burnt at stake. A witch. But what exactly is a witch? Witches were educated, single women, capable of fending for themselves (note that there are records of men accused of witchcraft. However, the numbers are low enough to ignore). She is regarded as ugly, old and perverted simply because she doesn't fit in the box. Fearful of her strength, society eliminated her.
PM Thatcher wouldn't be the first. Former Australian PM Julia Gillard made a powerful speech recalling how the opposition ran a campaign to "Ditch the Witch". Images of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton - green-skinned, clutching a skull - flooded the internet, likening her to a witch. PM Theresa May's laugh went viral, captioned as a "witch's cackle". The recurring theme? Society covering behind an insult, unable to come to terms with women shattering the glass ceiling.
Let me take your mind to South Asia, in particular, India. As you walk down the colourful streets of India, enchanted by the vibrant flora and fauna, you inevitably run into a Hindu temple. The majestic rock structures built in the 6th century are adorned with intricate painting, each one painstakingly brought to life by a chisel and a rock. Inside these sacred spaces resides the diety. Often a goddess, she is clothed with expensive silk and precious stones. However, she is not only beautiful. Armed to the teeth, she rides in on a tiger, a skilled warrior. She is power. One of her many hands holds the Vedas (a sacred Hindu text) as she is the guardian of knowledge. She is wisdom. From the palm of another hand flows an endless stream of money, gold coins and jewels clattering onto the ground around her. She is wealth.
After this narrative, you would think the women of this culture are lucky to be regarded as equals to this powerful figure. However, the sad reality is they aren't. Society expects Indian women to make unreasonable sacrifices. Under the guise of protecting their goddess, men lock them up at home, power ripped out of their hands. She is but an object, sacred and fragile, meant to be controlled. Being compared to a goddess is tiring. The bar set unachievably high. Pressurised to meet this unattainable standard of being, Indian women trade in their peace and pleasure to project an aura of divinity.
Women don't want to be witches or goddesses. These are two ends of the spectrum, equally suffocating and misogynistic.
Accept us as what we are - humans capable of making mistakes. We shouldn't have to outwork our male counterparts for the same recognition. We should be measured by the same yardstick. We are equal to men and have the right to be bold, daring and fearless. And to be the first female British Prime Minister.
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