This article dives into Sita's powerful journey in the Ramayana, asking a question that resonates across generations: Why must women suffer to be respected? From her painful exile to the Agni Pariksha and eventual abandonment, Sita’s story mirrors the societal expectation that women must endure hardship to prove their worth. These ancient narratives continue to shape modern gender norms, where women are often expected to quietly bear the weight of sacrifice and suffering. By reflecting on Sita's trials and their impact on cultural narratives of women’s virtue, this piece challenges us to rethink the ways society defines women’s respect, dignity, and sacrifice, and how these ideas still affect women today.