A journey of activism : Celebrating International Women's Day and beyond
- March 8th 2024 -

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International Women's Day in Imphal, March 08 2022 :: Pix - TSE

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th, but its origins are more complex than a single starting point. The culmination of various events and milestones paved the way for this significant day.

The journey began in 1909 with the first "National Woman's Day" in the US, organised by the Socialist Party of America. This initial step aimed to raise awareness about women's rights nationally. In 1910, the idea of an "international" day of recognition was proposed at a conference in Copenhagen. Inspired by this proposal, several European countries held the first international celebration in 1911 on March 19th.

The date later shifted to March 8th, eventually becoming the official global date for IWD. The United Nations recognised the importance of IWD in 1975. They officially designated it "UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace" in 1977.

IWD celebrates the ongoing fight for women's rights, highlights the challenges faced due to gender inequality, and recognises the achievements of women throughout history. It ultimately advocates for a world where women can reach their full potential in an environment of equity and inclusivity.

This evolution from a national event to a globally recognised day underlines the enduring importance of IWD, a symbol of the continuous struggle for a more equitable future for women everywhere.

Inspire Inclusion

This year's theme is "Inspire Inclusion," which highlights the importance of creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, feels respected, valued, and empowered. Put differently, the "Inspire Inclusion" theme for International Women's Day 2024 encapsulates a holistic approach to fostering a more equitable and inclusive world.

At the core of this theme is the aim to enhance understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusion, recognising their pivotal role in crafting a better society. This initiative seeks to enlighten individuals on the challenges women and marginalised communities encounter, nurturing a supportive environment that champions genuine change.

Central to "Inspire Inclusion" is cultivating a profound sense of belonging. By integrating women seamlessly into every sphere of societal functioning, from leadership echelons to the nuances of daily life, the theme advocates for a world where women are empowered and no longer grapple with the isolation bred by gender-specific hurdles. This emphasis on inclusivity nurtures empowerment and dismantles the entrenched barriers to gender equality.

Moreover, the theme underscores the imperative of fostering equality. Promoting the inclusion of women directly contributes to the dismantling of systemic inequalities that perpetually disadvantage women. The vision is to inspire a collective recognition of the invaluable benefits that women's inclusion brings to the table, thereby paving the path towards achieving gender equality.

The rationale behind adopting "Inspire Inclusion" as the theme for International Women's Day 2024 is multifaceted. It serves to affirm that gender equality is universally beneficial, extending beyond the upliftment of women alone. It acts as a reminder that the journey towards inclusion demands persistent effort and deliberate actions from every individual and institution.

Furthermore, it spotlights the transformative influence that a culture of inclusion can exert on both micro and macro levels of society, enhancing the well-being of individuals, enriching organizational cultures, and fostering a more just and equitable global community.

India Celebrates Women's Day

India's observance of International Women's Day blends respect for women's achievements with concrete steps towards gender equality. Diverse activities across various sectors mark the day, each contributing to empowering women and advancing their rights.

While not a nationwide public holiday, some Indian states designate it as a "restricted holiday." This allows individuals and organizations, particularly those championing women's issues, to dedicate the day to activities promoting gender equality, like workshops or discussions.

Through the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the government leverages this opportunity to highlight programs promoting gender equality, economic empowerment, and women's well-being. New initiatives might be launched or existing campaigns amplified, reaffirming the commitment to a more equitable society.

The corporate world actively participates by organising seminars and workshops for its female employees. These events address professional development, work-life balance, and unique workplace challenges faced by women, demonstrating a growing commitment to supporting their professional advancement.

Grassroots organizations add to the day's significance through social and cultural celebrations. Events like festivals, performances, and award ceremonies recognise women's achievements and raise awareness about gender-related issues. These celebrations foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for achieving gender equality.

Media coverage in India plays a pivotal role in amplifying the significance of International Women's Day, with news outlets and social media platforms dedicating space to stories highlighting women's contributions to society, their ongoing struggles, and the collective efforts required to forge a more balanced world.

Beyond Celebration

Celebrating International Women's Day in India is a significant step towards recognising the contributions of women and raising awareness about the challenges they face. However, for genuine progress towards gender equality, India must transcend symbolic gestures and engage in comprehensive, sustained action across various sectors. This involves a multi-pronged strategy that addresses women's legal, economic, social, political, and educational barriers.

Firstly, legal and policy reforms are crucial. Strengthening laws against gender-based discrimination in all spheres, including employment, education, and property rights, is essential. Moreover, discriminatory laws that disadvantage women need to be repealed, and the enforcement of existing legislation must be bolstered to ensure women have quicker access to justice for the discrimination and violence they face.

Economic empowerment is another critical area. Closing the wage gap, supporting female entrepreneurship through access to capital and training, and breaking down barriers in male-dominated fields are vital steps towards economic equality for women.

Social change is equally important. Challenging entrenched gender stereotypes, promoting shared responsibilities in domestic settings, and fostering a zero-tolerance attitude towards violence against women is foundational to transforming societal attitudes and practices.

Political representation of women needs to be increased. Implementing policies and quotas to ensure more women hold leadership positions in government and women's voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes is crucial to enhancing women's influence in the political arena.

Education and awareness play a pivotal role in achieving gender equality. Prioritising girls' education, providing opportunities for skill development, and running sensitization campaigns about gender inequality are essential to changing mindsets and promoting gender equality from the ground up.

India's path to gender equality is indeed complex and challenging, necessitating a comprehensive approach that combines policy reform, societal change, economic empowerment, and a steadfast commitment from all segments of society. Real and lasting progress can only be achieved through concerted and collective efforts, ensuring a future where women have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the nation's development.

Manipur's Unique Path to Gender Equality

In Manipur, as in other regions of India, the quest for gender equality and inclusion encounters specific challenges that demand focused strategies. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state are pivotal in driving the theme of "Inspire Inclusion," employing a variety of strategic actions to enhance their impact.

A crucial approach involves emphasising intersectionality, acknowledging the layered discrimination women in Manipur face due to ethnicity, caste, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, and tailoring programs to meet the diverse needs of these women, particularly those most marginalised.

Building community cohesion is another vital strategy. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, CSOs can help bridge divides and create inclusive platforms for shared experiences, strengthening community bonds.

Promoting economic inclusion is equally important, with initiatives aimed at facilitating access to skill-building programs and microfinance and advocating for equitable wages to empower women economically, focusing primarily on those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds to enable their financial independence and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Combating gender-based violence is a critical area of focus, addressing issues like domestic violence and sexual harassment through awareness campaigns, support services for survivors, and engagement with men and community leaders to change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence.

Encouraging political engagement also plays a key role, mentoring and supporting women to take active roles in local governance and collaborating with stakeholders to eliminate barriers to women's leadership, thereby enhancing their political participation and influence.

Showcasing female role models from diverse sectors highlights the successes of Manipuri women, serving as inspiration for the younger generation and challenging entrenched gender stereotypes. Moreover, engaging broadly with government bodies, educational institutions, the media, and other societal influencers can amplify the reach and effectiveness of gender inclusion initiatives, embedding the principles of inclusion into the societal fabric.

A crucial consideration for CSOs is the need to practice what they preach by adopting inclusive internal policies that ensure equitable opportunities for women in leadership and decision-making roles. This holistic approach, which combines targeted actions with inclusive internal practices, is essential for advancing gender equality and inspiring inclusion across Manipur, demonstrating the commitment to a more equitable society.

International Women's Day is a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women throughout history, acknowledge the challenges that persist, and recommit ourselves to creating a world where all individuals, regardless of gender, can thrive. While significant progress has been made, the journey continues.

By learning from the past, taking sustained action in the present, and fostering a culture of inclusion, we can build a future where the potential of every individual can be fully realised.