Women in today’s metropolitan set up have undergone several changes as they have been adapting themselves according to the need of the hour developing multiple skills. In spite of this, earlier responsibilities of a woman are still the same. Dr. Sonal Pandya shares her views on switching of roles for a woman affecting her emotional and mental well-being. “When we consider social change, we hardly think of emotional well-being of a person, especially women. Emotion is a major parameter as far as change is concerned or rather a major substance of a women’s personality” says Dr. Pandya.

According to Nielsen’s survey 2013, 80% of the women in the country are stressed.  Firmly agreeing to this Dr.Pandya says that, “There is a difference between ‘working woman’ and ‘career woman’.  Being quite ambitious a woman has to play multiple roles in order to maintain a balance between her professional and personal life. In a nut shell you have to be a ‘superwoman’ and do multitasking. Women are constantly under stress because of this and struggle emotionally to maintain the balance.” Further addressing the home-makers she says,” House-wives are more under stress as they do not have many avenues like working women to engage themselves with other activities and are constantly under social pressure. They also suffer from the stress of not having economic and social independence.”

When asked about awareness among women regarding their intimate and emotional health, Dr. Pandya comments that women are not much aware about their body and emotional well-being. They  are so ignorant about their own self and just do not think about their intimate and emotional health. She firmly believes that woman should give utmost priority to her intimate and emotional well being.

Young girls in today’s modern era are quite inclined towards having their own personal career and identity. They are putting their foot forward in every profession and also making a mark, creating a road map for future aspirants. Being a professor teaching at post- graduation level, Dr. Pandya profoundly expresses her views regarding challenges faced by young girls in a crisp and precise way by introducing us to the stress triangle for young girls.

Further addressing the issue Dr. Sonal says that,” Compared to other professions, media industry requires greater liberty and flexibility. Many girls in spite of being competent are not allowed by their families to carry forward their aspirations .Girls from heterogeneous backgrounds and family come to study in a group which has to be considered as a professor. Counselling is required as for a young girl it’s not about belonging to a different ‘sex’ but it is about belonging to a different ‘gender’.”

Advocating the idea of a woman’s concerns regarding her emotional and intimate health Dr. Sonal provides her insights into the need for women to be stress free. She says, “A woman should not expect too much from herself of being perfect all the time. They should relieve themselves out of unnecessary inferiority. They should accept the fact that they have a ‘right’ to entertain themselves.”Further providing her tips which can work as a stress buster she says,”A woman should involve herself in interaction with many like-minded people with whom she can share ideas and also at times be inspired by them.”

Media is the mirror of the society and interacting with Dr. Sonal Pandya we see how closely she observes the issues concerning women in the society. Expressing her future concerns about the issue she says, “Women related discussions are many, but women related research has to be promoted. We have police helpline numbers and other mediums as far as severe issues are concerned but we hardly have a platform concerning ‘emotional health.’ More platforms like ‘OoWomaniya’ have to be encouraged and promoted.”