HEMA MENON
Centre Head, UST-Global
Today’s woman is all about being successful. They define their destiny, carve out the path to follow and seek their destination. They are not concerned about “doing it all”, but would rather do it well. Women today happen to understand the dangers of the world that they live in, but do not let it stop them. Technology has made it possible for any woman to be an entrepreneur. Social media applications and a connected world provide an otherwise stay at home mom, to become successful “mompreneurs”, by converting their hobbies or talent into a business. More networking among women and flexibility at work place are some of the factors that allowed women to be less worried about the balancing act. This is evident from the ability of women organisations to come up with solutions that address women needs.
PEARLE MAANEY
Actress, anchor, singer
For me being a woman is an amazing experience. And what is beautiful about being one is that she brings a new life into this world. I strongly believe motherhood completes a woman.
We are capable of exploring the world we are living in, but many restrictions are placed on us.
I believe women should be more street-smart. Unprecedented campaigns for women's empowerment is a positive aspect, but I think this empowerment isn't happening in a uniform way. Those women who’ve broken the shackles and have become empowered are getting more and more powerful, but there is a section of women who continue to be exploited and abused.
MALLIKA KURUP
Programme executive, All India Radio
We hear a lot about freedom of women and safety of girls but talking about these is simple......but is being a woman in today's world that simple?
We can get the right answer to this, if a woman, irrespective of age, walks on the crowded streets of our city or travels in a passenger train alone.
In our society, we tend to bring up girls with the idea that the very aim of their birth is marriage.
We sent them to professional colleges to make them saleable in the "marriage market" as one of my friends put it! I urge all girls to dream big and follow their dreams.
Let us dress as we wish, let us laugh aloud, see colourful dreams and be ourselves. Learn to respect our womanhood and be proud of our dignity.
We are not dolls to embellish anyone's showcases. Marriage is not the aim of our lives. It happens when two people really know that they wish to be together and complement each other for the rest of their lives.
Let us make every day a celebration of our womanhood and awake with the vow that we will settle for nothing less.
AMRITHA
Television Producer I feel everything positive about being a woman today.
Present-day women are amazing multi-taskers, they are independent, creative and fit into various roles so well. Personally speaking, its not just being a wife or mother which counts, my personality also comes into the picture. Women might be subjected to moral policing and she might have to face many challenges, still I am proud to be a woman. However, as professionals, both men and women face the same problems; we have become more vocal about it. We are all striving to gain self-respect.
RESMI SATEESH
Sound designer, singer, and actor
Let me say up front, I don’t believe in the concept of Women’s Day. As far as I am concerned, every day is to be celebrated as a Women’s Day. That said, in this day and age I don’t believe there should be a gender divide at all. Both the men and women of today face challenges, different ones but challenges nonetheless. Existing as a human being is the biggest challenge.
I see both men and women as a human first and it’s that humanity that I look for when I choose to work with, be it as an artiste, filmmaker, musician or technician.
SAKHI THOMAS
Costumier and fashion designer
Until a generation ago, women were considered as secondary citizens, another amenity for men, unequal in the eyes of religion, in the eyes of society, a creature whose very existence depends on her father or her husband. I feel happy that such an attitude is gradually changing, with people realising and accepting the individuality of a woman. However, it’s rather unfortunate that women are still expected by society to show their character certificate through visual imageries like how we dress/laugh/speak and are judged by both men and women if they don’t fit into the scheme of things.
