‘You Belong To Yourself’: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Tells Women To Break The Cage Of Control

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday urged young women to break free from social, economic and psychological restrictions, saying a woman’s identity should not be reduced to being a daughter, wife or mother. Addressing the fourth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Pune, Gandhi said, “Women must have the freedom to decide their careers, relationships and future for themselves.”

Addressing Pune Event, Gandhi Calls For Freedom In Life Choices

The central theme of the interaction was women’s independence and the different forms of control they face in everyday life. Gandhi described India’s 70 crore women as the country’s “biggest strength”, saying they represented “70 crore unique journeys, unique imagination and unique dreams.”

Women Can Be Leaders And Professionals Beyond Family Roles

“There is nothing wrong with any of these identities. But these cannot be your only identities,” Gandhi said, referring to the conventional roles of daughter, wife and mother. He said women could be professionals, sportspersons, entrepreneurs and leaders and should not be defined only through their relationships with men.

Gandhi also invoked the Manusmriti while making his argument for women’s autonomy. Referring to its traditional prescription that a woman remains under the authority of her father in childhood, her husband in youth and her son later in life, Gandhi said, “These words are a shame, because these words should never ever have been spoken.”

Gandhi Criticises Traditional Ideas Of Women’s Dependence

He contrasted this idea with his own view of women’s independence. “You do not belong to anybody except yourself,” he said, stressing that having relationships with parents, husbands or children does not mean that a woman belongs to them.

“You have a relationship with your father, you have a relationship with your mother, you have a relationship with your husband, you have a relationship with your son, but you do not belong to them. You belong to yourself,” he said.

Gandhi Identifies Violence, Disrespect And Control As Barriers

The Congress leader also sought to explain how control over women operates beyond physical violence. He identified violence, disrespect, time and control as four methods through which women are restricted. He argued that restrictions imposed in the name of safety are often presented as concern, but eventually limit women’s choices.

A presentation at the event, titled “Time is Weaponised”, cited figures from the Time Use Survey 2024 and SRS Statistical Report 2024. It showed women aged 15-29 spending about 5.5 hours on housework compared with 30 minutes for men, while also highlighting restrictions linked to curfew, marriage and examinations.

Event Presentation Discusses Workplace Inequality And Disrespect

Another presentation, titled “Disrespect”, cited figures stating that 99% of sexual violence cases are unreported, 84% of women require family permission to work, and salaried women earn 25% less, with promotions also being affected. These figures were presented as part of the event’s argument on the social and professional barriers faced by women.

The presentation by Gandhi also highlighted what it called “Total Control”, citing that 60% of women cannot leave home alone, 45% of dropouts leave education because of marriage or housework, and only 8% of women own land independently.

Gandhi further spoke about the “cost of violence”, dividing it into physical, opportunity and financial costs. The presentation cited female foeticide at 4.5 lakh a year, harassment at 80%, physical violence at 29% and rape at 6%. It also said 50% of women are forced to reject work or education because of safety concerns and estimated an additional Rs 17,500 a year spent on safe travel.

The figures were presented on slides during the event and attributed to multiple sources, including the Time Use Survey, SRS Statistical Report, NFHS and other studies. They should therefore be read as data cited during Gandhi’s presentation rather than as figures generated by him.

The interaction also included a young woman who identified herself as a recently graduated lawyer. She spoke about male classmates receiving greater professional opportunities and cases, expressing concern that women’s qualifications are often undervalued because of the assumption that they will eventually marry and leave their careers.

The exchange reinforced Gandhi’s argument that “education alone is insufficient if women are not given the freedom” and opportunity to use their qualifications.

Gandhi said the issue was not merely about women being allowed to enter professional spaces, but about giving them the confidence and freedom to occupy those spaces on their own terms.

He urged the young women to believe in themselves and challenge social expectations that determine what they should study, whom they should marry, where they can go and what careers they can pursue.

Rahul Gandhi’s larger message in his address was that “women’s empowerment must mean ownership of one’s own life — economically, professionally and personally.”

“India’s biggest strength is 70 crore unique journeys, unique imagination, unique dreams,” Gandhi said, calling on women to break the social “cage” that limits those journeys.

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