Why do we need a Women’s Day when nothing substantial is done at the government or policy level to create a level playing field for both genders? Empowerment is still a struggle and it is tragic that the country still has to dedicate a day to celebrate the success of its women. We don’t need the discounts and freebies that commercial establishments are so happy to deal out, what we need are concrete steps to create gender parity in education, in the corporate world and our day-to-day lives? Joyeeta Chakravorty and Darshana Ramdev speak to prominent women about why Women’s Day is just a starting point...
Hema Ravichandar, Strategic HR Adviser
Women's Day is a wonderful gesture - but is it enough? I truly believe that diversity is just a statistic. What we need is the mindset of inclusivity. This is critical at all levels of society - within the family, the organisation or the community. One dimension of this, of course, is gender equality. Fifty per cent of the population is female. Are we doing enough for them? The battle begins with our mindsets.
Organisationally-speaking, we require a culture that encourages inclusivity. This is a culture where both genders respect and complement each other. And we need enablers to make this happen. Each gender needs to be sensitive to the needs of the other, for starters. Organisations should also provide women employees with amenities like creches, which encourage women to go out and work.
Bringing about a culture of inclusivity isn't easy. We all have been raised differently, each with our own biases. This is why training and sensitization are so important. We need to become aware of our biases and understand the way in which they shape our mindsets.
None of this can happen without cooperation from the top. You need a strong voice from the corner office, enabling the practice of inclusivity within the organisation. Without this, no effort can truly be sustainable. Leadership by example is one of the critical aspects of creating a level playing field.
Again, I will never say that Women's Day is bad. Occasions like these encourage women to get together with their friends and talk about the issues they share in common. This sort of camaraderie is helpful, but doesn't work in isolation. A Women's Day is just not enough. The gesture needs to be augmented with the four pillars as I call them, to make the empowerment of women and the culture of inclusivity a reality.
Another thing that needs to be said for feminism is that women can be perfectionists, who tend to lowball themselves. We negotiate for our families and everybody around us, although we shy away from negotiating for ourselves. Women want to be the best - the best wife, the best mother and the best career woman. Women need to realise one thing - they're doing a jolly good job already! We deserve to be proud of ourselves.
Financial planning and literacy are the only way forward: Mimi Parthasarathy
Financial empowerment is true woman empowerment , if you ask me. A woman faces physical, mental and emotional challenges, but the only way to come out of a bad situation is to be independent financially. Therefore financial planning and literacy is critical I firmly believe that financial literacy and education for women is the only way they can be truly empowered.
I somehow do not understand these self-defence camps. Are they even relevant? What is the need for learning self-defence when a man is supposed to support, love and protect a woman? Why should a woman learn to defend herself from them? It is like challenging the men, when the truth is that they are biologically more powerful. The only way to protect ourselves with strength and dignity is to be financially strong.
Let’s meet the new challenges coming our way: Margaret Alva
I personally feel that this is not something which starts and ends on the 8th of March. Our battles are getting tougher, atrocities against our lot are seen everywhere and discrimination has not ended. But we are fighting it all unitedly, whether in the United Nations or in our panchayats.
The more we try to advance, the more the negative the reaction. Thankfully laws and life have changed drastically for the common woman. We should now think about what lies ahead and network, plan and organise ourselves to meet the new challenges that are coming up. Once we do this victory will come. As the anthem of women empowerment goes: We shall overcome.
The writer is former governor
The day must translate into something powerful: Rubi Chakravarti
I don't understand the hullabaloo that surrounds Women's Day. Funny thing is every creature that is going to be extinct also has a day reserved for it. It is a concept for the Archies Card industry. Does this day translate into anything of substance like safety and support for women? It has no value because it does not result in anything substantial.
People in the hospitality business are trying to take advantage of the day by offering discounts and other such offers, which are not exactly creating a gender parity. I think perspectives will change only when people get bored with the concept. The day needs to translate into something powerful for women, otherwise I do not really care for it, We need to acheive something on the lines of equal pay and safety for women so that the celebration becomes meaningful.
Women corporators to shake a leg
They have been seen only in the role of civic representatives until now. But come Wednesday and women corporators of the city could shed their official avatar for a bit of fun and shake a leg to the popular Kannada number, 'Gili gili ganak kalu gejje ganaku' from the film Ratha Manjari, all in aid of the International Women’s Day. They will also form a human chain in a show of woman power on the occasion. Says Ms Shyamala Sasikumar, who represents the Vidyapeeta ward, "We will form the human chain in front of the BBMP head office at Corporation Circle. And then as part of the celebration around 30 women corporators will dance to a Kannada song while others will stand in a group singing the Nada Geethe." The event marks the first big celebration planned by the BBMP on the occasion of the International Women's Day. Over 50 stalls at the BBMP head office will create awareness on the welfare schemes available for women and also display products produced by women's associations.
