International Women’s Day is observed on 8^th March every year. It is considered as a day to discuss the hardships faced by women, ways to eliminate the discrimination against women, and to celebrate their achievements in all spheres of life. But the question remains unanswered- “Is it a one-day business?”

In the eyes of the present generation, we feel that gender equality is in place, even though not completely. A situation that once women did not receive the same rights as men, and that women suffered a lot, stuck with households and domestic chores seem almost unreasonable…almost.

Throughout history, we can see many protests, fights and even revolutions for women’s rights. Coincidentally, many such protests and rallies happened on 8^th March throughout centuries and that is one of the main reasons why 8^th March is celebrated as International Women’s Day. In the Vedic period, the women were considered as goddesses and were highly respected and revered in society. The status enjoyed by women then deteriorated in the later civilizations. Women were often stopped from getting educated or an option for widow remarriage. They were not even given the right to inheritance and ownership of property. It is as good as saying that, most of them did not have anything to call a right. Yet, we did have those few who rebelled against this, and many more who became Queens of rich and prosperous lands.

Those women who could not even voice themselves, faced many social evils like child marriage and dowry system. It became an institution and started to engulf them, and the Sati system became prominent. During the reign of the British, many social reformers in India such as Raja Rammohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, started rallies for the empowerment of women. Their efforts led to the abolition of Sati and the formulation of the Widow Remarriage Act. As a result of their tireless struggles, the status of women in socio-economic and political life began to exalt in the Indian society. And, that is particularly the reason why when India became independent, the lawmakers had decided that gender discrimination would be eliminated, and that women could even have voting rights and stand for elections. But such a privilege was not bestowed upon many other women across the world, and that was how the great women’s suffragette movements started emerging; first in pockets and then widespread. International Women’s Day is also celebrated to remember all those efforts put in by women throughout history, all across the world.

But even after seven decades of Indian Independence, many women are still suffering in all fields. Forget about women, a female baby, not even born into this world, is killed or after birth is abandoned, just because she is considered to be a burden-Female Feticide. In many fields, especially in the rural areas, women are paid less than their male counterparts for the same job. Due to the profound and fundamental patriarchal mentality in Indian society that runs very deep, women are still swindled, humiliated, harassed, ill-treated and taken advantage of.

Women empowerment means the liberation of women from the diabolical holds of social, economic, political, caste and gender-based discrimination, to covey and exhibit thoughts freely and to have the self-confidence to articulate and advocate the power to negotiate and decide.

Based on the ideas upheld by our founding fathers for women empowerment, many provisions were incorporated in the Indian Constitution. Women empowerment has become something sought out today for those working parallel to men in all sections. They profess an independent outlook, whether they are living inside their home or working outside-at the same time not all.

There are many aspects to which such empowerment should be done. A grave ingredient of the so-called social empowerment of women is the endorsement of gender equality. Gender equality encompass a society where women and men enjoy the same opportunities civil rights, and obligations. We have to empower women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence essential to partake fully in the development process i.e., make women understand and aware of their rights and develop their confidence to claim them. Better conditions that reduce their financial dependence on their male counterparts and making them a significant part of the human resource is also needed. The rural areas in many countries are, by and large, submerged in an orthodox and medieval outlook, turning down even the slightest chance that women can be granted an equal say in the matters of their education, right to choose a partner, career, and social interactions. Arrangements should be made for an effective legal structure that addresses the fissures between what the law says and what actually happens. We, in India, also need a political system encouraging the participation of women in the significant and important political decision-making process. Efforts should be made to end the so-called patriarchal influences that work to keep alive the tradition of male dominance that issue inhumane and unlawful orders. This would ensure an equal society.

This year, 2020, the theme for International Women’s Day is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’ with #EachForEqual. It focuses on promoting gender equality in all fields, especially at work. It satiates to the issue that not a single country can validate that they are they have gender equality. The multiple hurdles faced by any nation are to be shattered in this regard. Women empowerment, in the truest sense, will be met only when there is a behavioral shift towards womenfolk, considering them with proper respect, dignity, fairness, and equality, by the individuals and society at large.

Happy International Women’s Day.

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