What role does a woman really play in a society that frequently exalts the divine feminine? Goddesses are revered for their grace, strength, and wisdom, yet we tend to overlook these same attributes in the women in our immediate environment. We prostrate ourselves before the statues of Saraswati, Durga, and Lakshmi, presenting flowers and prayers in exchange for blessings of wisdom, bravery, and prosperity. Beyond the sacred spaces of temples and homes, however, we do not show the same deference to the ladies who accompany us on our daily walks.

This is not a story of saints or sinners, heroes or villains. This story is about a society that holds its men accountable but places its expectations on women. It is a society that raises its females to shoulder the responsibility of upholding family honor while giving its sons the latitude to explore, make mistakes, and prosper without repercussions. Here, a woman's dignity is frequently given up to appease the avarice, ego, or cravings of others.

This story reveals the hidden wars and silent struggles that women fight in quiet nooks, busy streets, and behind closed doors. It highlights the suffering and injustice that women face—not because they are weak, but rather because they are socialized to put up with hardship and sacrifice. It raises concerns about why men who commit crimes go unchecked and untaught but women are stigmatized, embarrassed, and silenced.

It is an appeal for us to become more aware of the systemic injustices that exist in our families and hearts. It forces us to consider the arduous responsibilities imposed upon women, the sacrifices they make for the sake of social or familial honor, and the unrelenting anguish they endure.

The terrible reality of many women whose voices have been silenced, whose aspirations have been postponed, and whose lives have been shaped to fit narratives they did not choose are reflected in this work, which acts as a mirror to the outside world. It is an outcry for justice, a cry for change, and a demand for a future in which equality and respect are recognized as fundamental rights rather than as advantages. Through their inspirational tales of bravery and resiliency, it aims to spark a shift toward a more just and caring society.

Who is a woman?

She is the one who is always ready to sacrifice for her loved ones, who often forgets to take care of herself while nurturing others. Her joy is found in the smile she brings to others' faces, her happiness tied to the well-being of her family. She is the one who endures unimaginable pain, suffering, and challenges to bring a new life into this world. A woman is the backbone of this world, contributing to its very existence and nurturing it with her strength, compassion, and resilience.

Yet, why is she the one who is targeted? Why is she the one who suffers the most? Why is she the one subjected to violence, cruelty, and blame? Why is she considered inferior, treated as an object, and disregarded by those who should respect her the most? Why is she forced to bear the weight of societal expectations and judgments?

They say a woman is the epitome of motherhood, embodying endless love and compassion. She is the source of life, a creator, a caregiver, a healer. Yet, why is she the one constantly battling for dignity and respect?

A woman is strength wrapped in grace, courage hidden beneath vulnerability, and wisdom beyond measure. She carries the world’s burdens, silently and selflessly. She is the hands that hold, the heart that heals, and the spirit that never breaks.

Why is she, who can create, nurture, and sustain, seen as something less than equal? Why is she the one society seeks to suppress, silence, and subjugate? Why is her voice dismissed, her dreams denied, and her worth questioned? Why must she always fight for her right to be seen, heard, and valued?

Why, when a woman can bring light into the darkest corners of life, is she often forced to walk through shadows herself? Why is she made to feel small in a world that she helps make whole?

A woman is not just a body or a role, but a soul filled with light, a heart full of love, and a mind rich with dreams. She is a force of nature, an unstoppable storm of strength, passion, and beauty. She is both the calm and the storm, the healer and the warrior.

And yet, despite her strength, why must she constantly prove her worth to a world that wouldn't exist without her?

Why…?

Because a woman is everything, and the world is still learning to see her as she truly is.

Suffering — a word that echoes silently in the lives of countless women across the world. It is not always visible, not always loud, but it is persistent, and it leaves marks deeper than the surface. Every woman carries with her a story—a story of survival, pain, and sometimes, defeat.

Women are forced to confront suffering in countless forms:

Domestic Violence: Behind closed doors, where a home should offer safety, too many women find themselves in a prison of fear, subjected to the violence of those they once trusted. Their bruises may fade, but the scars on their hearts remain.

Sexual Assault and Rape: Violated in the most intimate way, their bodies treated as battlegrounds for power and control, leaving scars that no one else can see. These women wake up each day with the weight of a nightmare that feels endless, with memories that cannot be erased.

Workplace Harassment: In professional spaces where competence should be the only currency, many women navigate unwanted advances, discrimination, and harassment, as they strive to be recognized for their skills and abilities. The workplace becomes a minefield where every step forward is met with another hurdle, another unwanted touch, another moment of humiliation.

Acid Attacks: Some are attacked simply for saying "no," for daring to assert their independence or make choices that men disapprove of. Acid becomes the weapon of choice, intending to destroy not just the body, but the spirit. The pain from these attacks is indescribable, the suffering unthinkable, and the scars — both seen and unseen — remain for life.

Humiliation and Objectification: From childhood, girls learn that their worth is often measured by their appearance, their bodies scrutinized and judged, their existence reduced to being mere objects for others’ satisfaction. Society teaches them to shrink themselves, to make room for the world’s gaze while losing their own voice in the process.

Social Stigmas and Honor Killings: For defying societal norms, for loving someone of their choice, or even for speaking out, some women pay with their lives. Their courage is met with violence, their voices silenced forever by those who claim to protect honor while tarnishing humanity.

Poverty and Lack of Access: Millions of women face suffering through poverty, lack of education, and inadequate access to healthcare. Their needs are often secondary, their potential unrealized. These women are forced to choose between feeding their children or themselves, between seeking education or earning a daily wage.

These sufferings are not isolated incidents; they are woven into the very fabric of society. They stem from deep-rooted biases, unequal power dynamics, and a long history of patriarchy that continues to dictate the lives of women in subtle and overt ways.

Every day, in every corner of the world, women are subjected to injustices that force them to endure pain, trauma, and discrimination. And yet, they continue to rise, to fight, and to hope for a world that is kinder, fairer, and more just.

But how long must they suffer? How much longer will their voices go unheard? How many more tears must be shed before the world awakens to their pain?

This is their story—a story of every woman who has ever been silenced, oppressed, or made to feel less. A story of resilience in the face of unimaginable pain. A story that demands to be heard.