The Principal of Government Polytechnic College in Bandra, Mumbai, blamed jeans and shirts and dressing up as men as the reason behind the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) disease. According to this ill informed educator, when women dress as men, it leads to gender reversal in the heads of women, which reduces the urge to reproduce. This lowering of the urge to reproduce causes women’s body to change and leads to PCOS commonly known as PCOD.
Women in our country are subject to misogyny at all places from home to work. The Principal’s comments about reproduction and dressing up as men objectifies them further. Swati Deshpande, the Principal said, “I have heard theories on why girls suffer from PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease) at an early age. When they dress like men, they start thinking or behaving like them. There is a gender role reversal in their head. Due to this, the natural urge to reproduce diminishes right from a young age and therefore they suffer from problems like PCODs.”
These comments have sensationalized the need for better educators in our country, specifically in such an influential position. These comments are not only problematic as this not only reduces women from opting the institution but also for her stature of influence. The college, for now, has the same uniform for men and women black trousers with white shirts. But if Deshpande has her way, this situation is set to change soon to the feminine Salwar Kameez.
The college as of now has a separate seating arrangement for men and women, as she says was done because of the ruckus that was created by former students. Also, the students have been asked by the said principal to tie plaits and not to tuck their shirt in as it might entice men. In India, many women in prestigious professions are required to dress up in shirts and trousers some of them include Indian Air Force, Police and many more professions.
Well if Principal Deshpande’s words were implemented, all the women of the country should be wearing Salwar-Kameez. Also if dressing up as men were the reason for gender reversal, the population of India would be reduced by millions from the present 120+ crores!
