“Winning Six Grand Slams Isn’t Settled Enough For Society”: Sania Mirza Responds To Urban Company Ad
“Why a woman’s achievements invite conversation about gender ‘expectations and appearances, instead of her skill and the work itself…” wrote tennis icon Sania Mirza while recalling her past experiences with societal expectations tied to a woman’s success, which always ended with the question – When will you settle down?
Responding to an Urban Company advertisement titled ‘Chhoti Soch’, Mirza took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express how the ad resonated with her personal experiences.
The nearly four-minute ad by Urban Company narrates the story of a beautician who faces societal prejudice, questioning her character after purchasing a car with her hard-earned money.
Through a heartfelt conversation with her initially disapproving brother, she highlights the hard work behind her success, which often goes unnoticed, “Nayi gaadi toh sabko dikhti hai, lekin mehnat? Kisi ko nahi dikhti. Auratein jitni aage badhti hai, logon ki soch utni hi chhoti hoti jaati hai. Ab ya toh hum apna kaam kar ke aage badhte rahein, ya sabki soch mein peeche reh jaayein. (Everybody can see my new car, but no one sees my hard work. The more a woman succeeds, the narrower a society’s mind becomes. Now, either we can do our work and move ahead or get caught up in the way the world perceives us).”
The Urban Company ad, while addressing the stigma attached to certain professions, ends with a poignant message: “All work done with purpose is worthy of dignity, what society might say is not worth dignifying. Everyone has the right to work with pride and be respected for it.”
Emphasising the importance of recognising the hard work of women professionals without the lens of gender bias, the Indian tennis ace recounted similar experiences during her career. In the tweet, she writes, “In 2005, I was the first Indian woman to win a WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) title. Big deal, right? When I was world no. 1 in doubles, people were keen to know when I’d settle down. Winning six grand slams isn’t settled enough for society.” Referencing a TV interview in 2016, Mirza highlights how for women, their professional success is always relegated to an afterthought, with “settling down” (read marriage and motherhood) always considered the ultimate goal.
Mirza’s response to the ad reflects a deep-seated frustration with societal norms, shared by women across the globe, that prioritise a woman”s personal life over her professional success, completely disregarding her achievements.
She also acknowledged the difficulty of having a real conversation about society and how it can often be uncomfortable, but advocated for a shift in societal attitudes towards women’s professional success. As Mirza aptly points out, it is long overdue for society to engage in real conversations about women”s accomplishments without diminishing their gender expectations and appearances.
In 2005, I was the first Indian woman to win a WTA title. Big deal, right? When I was world no. 1 in doubles, people were keen to know when I’d settle down. Winning six grand slams isn’t settled enough for society. I”m grateful for the support I”ve received along the way, but… https://t.co/PGfSvAMgFd
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 1, 2024
With advocates like Sania Mirza engaging in this discourse, perhaps there is hope for a future where women’s accomplishments are not belittled or questioned but celebrated.
Watch the Urban Company ad below (adult supervision required):
What is really behind a woman professional”s success?
All work done with purpose, is worthy of dignity, what society might say is not worth dignifying. Everyone has the right to work with pride, and be respected for it.
CW: Req. adult supervisionhttps://t.co/1Fc4TIgKKa#IWD2024— Urban Company (@urbancompany_UC) March 1, 2024
