Bairaj Chawalgami
Man and women are the two faces of the same coin and they are the two wheels of the human life. A man is definitely incomplete without women and every successful man has a women behind him. The role of women in the social, economic, technological, scientific, cultural and moral development of the society is pivotal and cannot be exaggerated. In Snatan scriptures, the place of women is very high as women have been accorded an enviable position in our religious texts. Rig Veda declares – Yater Sithristo Samanata,Tatra Ramantey Deva meaning where women are respected ,gods travel there. Therefore women deserve to be revered and respected. The names of Hindu deities precede with the names of their consorts. Thus we say Laxmi Narayan, Gouri Shanker, Sita Ram, Radhey shyam and so on and so forth. Today women are working side by side with men and they are excelling in all most all spheres of life. The contribution of women in the development of the society is next to none and international women’s Day celebrates the contributions of women in the socio-economic development of the society .International Women’s Day – IWD is a day to celebrate the achievements of women and to advocate for gender equality
It is celebrated on March 8th every year .The first IWD was held in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The UNO began celebrating IWD in 1975. This day is celebrated by millions of people around the world. International Women’s Day provides the people an opportunity to reflect and commemorate the progress and commit to positive actions. The UN has worked to secure gender equality worldwide. The UN’s Beijing Declaration and platform for Action is a roadmap that focuses on 12 critical areas of concern .The 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development includes Goal 5,which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls .The UN holds an official commemoration event on IWD. Charities and organizations also hold events to mark IWD. In India, International Women’s Day is celebrated at the government level and various NGO’s, women’s organizations, National women commission and educational institutions organize functions and various programmes to celebrate IWD with gaiety and enthusiasm .In our country centre and state government’s sincerely make efforts for the gender equality and participation of women in governance is given top priority .For the proper representation of women in the legislature and government,33% reservation bill has been passed in the parliament. It was Vladimir Lenin who had declared March 8 as IWD in 1922 to honor the women’s role in 1917 Russian Revolution .It was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries.
The UNO started celebrating IWD in 1977. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions ,whether national ,ethnic ,linguistic ,cultural ,economic or political. The history of why Women’s Day is celebrated goes back to 109 years.IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. This year’s theme of IWD is ”For all women and girls – Equality, Rights, Empowerment”. This year’s commemoration celebrates the leadership and creativity of the young people in advancing sustainable and inclusive development, with a focus on the green and digital economies.IWD is a day to call for action to end gender inequity and discrimination, which affects women and girls in many ways.IWD is a day to raise awareness of the gender pay gap, domestic violence and other inequalities that women face even today. On this occasion emphasizes should be given to both women’s development and to women led development and in the latter women are becoming leaders and are leading organizations and governmental institutions and they are becoming our role models to be emulated. Women today are assuming the roles and responsibility of leadership and they are contributing to societal,cultural ,scientific ,political as well as economic development. On the occasion of IWD, we should make people aware about the women led development and their leadership roles in the society. We should recognize and appreciate the leadership roles of women.
People should resolve and ensure that domestic ,as well as workplace discrimination and their sexual exploitation is discouraged and in fact put to end .Women safety ,security, dignity, equality and development should be our aim and motto and for this we should play our role so that women empowerment is implemented in letter and spirit .Women are no longer the object of playing sex but they have an important and enviable place in modern society. We in India worship women as Shakti as in Navratras we worship little girls believing them as the personification of shakti, but on the other side we heap all discrimination, abuses and gender disparity on them and even subject them to abuse and exploitation .All these negative things should end in the society and girls and women should be allowed to grow and develop for the good of the society as it is the women who are the first teachers and teach morality and cultural and ethical values to children as family is rightly called the first school of citizenship and mother the first teacher. On March 8,2025 let us join to celebrate international Women’s Day under the theme- ,”For all women and girls – Rights, Equality Empowerment.”
This year’s theme calls action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls-as catalysts for lasting change. Besides year 2025 is a pivotal moment as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This document is the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide that transformed the women rights agenda in terms of legal protection, access to services, youth engagement and change in social norms ,stereotypes and ideas stuck in past. It is appropriate to engage media, corporate leaders ,governments ,community leaders, civil society, youth and others with influence to take action in your communities. It is needed to ask leaders to take action and invest in promoting women’s rights and gender equality. The Venus female symbol – a circle with a cross handle is the most used symbol of international Women’s Day. The history of IWD stretches back to more than 100 years when the day was first observed across Europe and America. But according to NPR ,it was not until March 8,1946 that feminists in Italy chose the mimosa flower as a symbol of strength ,sensibility and sensitivity for Women’s Day. Happy International Women’s Day and let us all respect ,revere and secure women and ensure gender equality and end to all forms of discrimination and exploitations of girls and women and give fairer sex their due, rights and respect and dignity. May the dream and vision of Viksit Nari-Viksit Bharat come true and be realized and for this let us all make our contribution towards this pious goal.