March 8 marks that day when women of all walks of life and all men of good will reiterate their pledge to bring about an atmosphere of sustainable development for women and girls.
The world stands in need of taking bold steps and initiating committed action for women’s development
In 2016 national and international organisations supported the ‘Pledge” for gender parity. According to the World Economic Forum the gender gap won’t close entirely until 2186. The million dollar question is, should we make our mothers, sisters and daughters wait till then to have gender parity at home, at meals time, at work, at payer and worship? Should women be treated as ‘caged animals’ or used as things of utility at will by a domineering male world?
The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March during International Women’s Year 1975. Since then many things have happened. Many women have been emboldened to seek parity in gender rights. Yet, much more needs to be done. The patriarchal part of the world will not allow these. The fundamentalist religious fanatics still want to see women in submissive roles.
Women need to make more bold steps to storm the hitherto unbreakable fortress of male supremacy.
The theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2017, focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.
‘We know now that without gender equality and a full role for women in society, in the economy, in governance, we will not be able to achieve the world we hoped for. … The world of work is changing, and with significant implications for women. On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts—all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.’ (Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women, 2015.)
It is said that in early Vedic period women enjoyed equal status with men. Then what has gone wrong in India? Why are women not given equal status? Why are they being barred from priesthood and from entering certain holy places? Why are men not allowing them to have property rights in some communities? These and many more such questions are welling up for answer.
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