Women’s Day Over? What You Can Do for Rest 364 Days!

Too slim, too rude;
Too angry, or a prude.
A Slut, or too bossy;
A Lipstick too glossy.
Wannabe tomboy, or
a pretty face too dumb,
are amongst the many labels
that’ll make your head go numb.

No, it is “not another spoken word on feminism” and I am certainly not a feminazi.  But I certainly am a feminist. And almost a week after the International Women’s Day, I can’t help but keep pondering over this year’s theme- #EachforEqual.

To think of, an equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. Certainly, we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.

Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let’s all be #EachforEqual. Because that is the whole point of Women’s Day.

Equality is not a women’s issue, it’s a humans right issue, it’s a business issue. So gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

A gender equal world can be healthier, wealthier and more harmonious. So what’s not great about that?

The race is on for gender equal boardrooms, governments, media coverage, workplaces, sports coverage, more gender equality in health and wealth. So let’s make it happen. Let’s be #EachforEqual.

We all contribute to this whole world and a little change can make a huge difference. Therefore, our actions, conversations can help the world turn into a gender equal world.

It is a great responsibility to empower women. Society prospers when women are given equal respect and are not taken for granted. In the past, women were restricted in homes and were not permitted to step out of the house for work. But, today’s women step out of their houses and do fabulous jobs and make their families and even, nations proud.

Apart from equality, let’s talk about respect. Does everyone really respect women and can women walk around with no fear? I think the answer to this a big No after so many cases we have heard. Be it Hyderabad or New Delhi, the situation remains the same. And a lot of it can be blamed on the mindset of people.

One of my favorite quotes states that ‘stronger people don’t put others down; they lift them up.’ I believe that a society where women do not feel secure and respected is not worth calling a society. Further, crimes like rape, domestic violence and trafficking have increased over time and the word respect is ebbing.

Trafficking of women, especially young girls remains a big concern and has destroyed many lives. I live in a country where, according to statistics, a rape happens every 20 minutes. Or worse, a woman is assaulted every 4 minutes. Also, men have misused their dominance and power and responsibility has not been taken.

Yes, ‘Not all men’ but many turn a blind eye and do not speak up even when they see injustice. But it is high time we start respecting women. Yes, we’ve all wished the women in our lives a Happy Women’s Day. But let’s not make this a mere lip service. So, maybe this year can we all offer respect and become their support system as well.

Quoting Meghan Markle:

“It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision – because it isn’t enough to simply talk of equality. One must believe it. And it isn’t enough to simply believe in it. One must work at it. Let us work at it. Together. Starting now.”

Finally, ending with this small piece of poetry for all the women reading this:

प्राण तू है मान तू है, शक्ति तू है अम्बा तू है

ऊँची उड़ती चावला तू हैसेवा करती देश की कप्तान शिखा तू है।

हे नारी महान तू है….लड़ती मेरे लिए वो बहन तू है,

रब से ऊपर मेरी माँ तू  हैअंत तू है शुरुआत तू हैनूर पिता की आँख का वो गुड़िया तू है।।

हे नारी महान तू है…वीर का धीर तू है, सत्या का शरीर तू हैन्याय की मूरत तू है।।

हे नारी महान तू है।।।।हे नारी महान तू है।।।।
-Aman Vats

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