Images

I'd love to see people celebrate girls and boys' births in the same way, says Sania Mirza

I'd love to see people celebrate girls and boys' births in the same way, says Sania Mirza

The tennis player reflects on gender equality in her latest interview
26 Sep, 2018

Sania Mirza, tennis player, mom-to-be and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, feels that gender equality is key to making the world a better place.

But unfortunately, we have a long way to go, she says.

“It's very difficult to get rid of something that has been a part of [people’s mindset] from probably the very beginning [of life]. Equality, for me, is that as a woman, you have to believe that you are no less than anyone. There are women in this world who don’t believe that they are equal [to men]... There are even many who believe that they deserve to get beaten up by their husbands. And they probably don’t say anything because they don’t have the courage to fight back.”

Also read: 5 times Sania Mirza made it easier for us to be women

Mirza breaks down what equality means to her: “Being equal does not mean doing the same things like a man. This is not a competition and such things do not determine if men are better than women or otherwise. It’s about having equal opportunities and respect in life.”

And she recognises that the struggle for these equal opportunities and respect is taking place all over the world: “I have always been for equality. This concern is not confined to one country, state or race. The fact that even today, players like Serena Williams are having to justify equal pay, shows that we don’t live in an equal world. I would love to see people celebrate in the same way when a girl is born, much like when a boy is born. That’s how we become an equal world."

Comments

MG Sep 27, 2018 08:56am
Very good thought and many parts of the world are already doing it. Its south Asia who needs a mental therapy
Recommend (0)