How the evolution of gender equality has changed the notion of Raksha Bandhan

Rakhi is a Hindu festival celebrated to honor the bond between siblings. The term Raksha Bandhan originates from Sanskrit, where ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means a knot. The classic Raksha Bandhan story revolves around the sister’s prayer for her brother’s well-being and the brother's promise to protect her sister. This narrative of Rakhi is heartwarming, but it is being criticized by society. As this positions men as protectors and women as vulnerable, this festival has undergone a significant transformation, showing the evolution of gender equality in society.

A Shift in Narratives 

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of gender equality, which pushes and challenges how Raksha Bandhan is perceived and celebrated. Now we see women also as protectors and providers because of the changing dynamics of gender roles in society, and Rakhi is meant to foster mutual respect, love, and support rather than expectations.

• Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Raksha Bandhan is no longer confined to the brother-sister relationship. But now sisters tie rakhis to each other, and sometimes brothers also tie rakhi to their sister, because the real meaning of this festival is to celebrate the bonds in your life on which you can rely for your problems.

• Mutual Respect and Support: With time, the emphasis has shifted from protection to mutual respect, love, and support. The bond between siblings is celebrated as a partnership based on equality. Which can be provided by anyone, irrespective of gender.

• Redefining Masculinity: Raksha Bandhan provides an opportunity to redefine masculinity. Brothers are encouraged to be emotionally supportive and to value their sisters as equals. By accepting rakhi from their sisters with the understanding of mutual protection, they participate in a tradition that values and acknowledges the strength and capabilities of women.

• Empowering Women: Rakhi is used as a medium to promote women's empowerment. There are different ad campaigns run by different brands, like Cadbury, Amazon, etc., where they create advertisements showing women's empowerment to bring about change in society, as media helps shift public perception and change the traditional narratives that have limited women’s role in society.

Raksha Bandhan, traditionally seen as a celebration of the bond between brother and sister, is undergoing a transformation. As society is moving towards gender equality and women's empowerment, Rakhi is evolving to create an emphasis on mutual responsibility and respect. This modern interpretation of Rakhi offers a powerful message about the importance of gender equality for building a balanced society.