A husband and wife were on their way somewhere. The wife had meticulously adorned herself, and they were waiting for a taxi. Just then, the taxi arrived, and they got in. After a while, the taxi driver, on the pretext of his duties, requested the wife to remove her lipstick shade, as he found it unappealing. Upon hearing this, the husband, in a fit of anger, grabbed the driver’s collar and rebuked him, “How dare you utter such words? You have no right to pass judgment on her choices.”

Smirking, the driver responded, “Brother, if she were just meant to adorn the house, she would have been dressed up for the home. But she is prepared for the journey, and everyone has the option to criticize and appreciate things along the way.” The man’s anger subsided, and he handed the wife a handkerchief, saying, “Clean your lipstick.”

While this incident may or may not be entirely true, one undeniable reality remains. Women often exert themselves less for their husbands and more for others. When it comes to attending an event, they spend hours in the salon, meticulously preparing. However, when it’s time for the husband’s return, they are seldom ready. They don’t change their clothes, and they go about their day wearing the same outfit from morning till night, with disheveled hair and a tired demeanor.

However, our religion has not forbidden us from dressing up before going out, akin to the practices of the pre-Islamic era. It has not been said that you shouldn’t adorn yourself at home. Rather, it has emphasized that beautification is for the husband. Nevertheless, we tend to act contrarily to this teaching. Perhaps this is why men tend to prefer the wives of others and their own children over their own spouses.

This phenomenon is rooted in the deep-seated gender norms and expectations embedded in our society. Women are often burdened with the responsibility of managing the household and taking care of the family’s needs. This expectation is reinforced by societal pressures and traditional gender roles that dictate women’s behavior and appearance. Meanwhile, men are often exempted from these domestic responsibilities and are expected to focus on their professional and external pursuits.

The imbalance in expectations not only affects the dynamics within the household but also contributes to the perpetuation of gender inequalities in various spheres of life. Women are often judged and evaluated based on their appearance and domestic abilities, while men are primarily valued for their achievements and contributions in the public sphere. This imbalance not only places undue pressure on women but also limits their opportunities for personal growth and self-expression.

It is essential to challenge these deeply ingrained gender stereotypes and promote a more equitable and inclusive society where individuals are valued based on their capabilities and contributions rather than their adherence to traditional gender norms. By encouraging a more balanced division of responsibilities within the household and fostering mutual respect and understanding between partners, we can strive towards creating a more just and equal society for all.