International Women's Day celebrations tend to become stereotypical. Seminars on gender issues, symbolic walks and felicitations for a few brave women who have clawed their way to the top in different disciplines are the staple year after year. Such events hog time and space in the media. Every programme to mark the day consciously turns out to be ‘for, of and by' the women.
Why forget the men? Don't our equal partners also need to champion gender equality? Setting aside one day seems to add to the disconnect between the lives and experiences of women and men. When the Metroplus team set out to gather a different perspective, many respondents actually asked whether there was also an International Men's Day!
In a world where the men are the jury and the executioners, they really don't need to be lulled into a false state of security like the women. Rather, they need to respond to the impassioned voices of women and build a new bond with them that is based on shared responsibilities, respect and love.
The Managing Director of Indian Foods, Mr. M.D. Vel , finds the concept of celebrating Women's Day “alien to our rich culture”, which recognizes woman as an embodiment of shakti. But he warns against ignoring issues and problems that cause a gender divide. Social reasons and dynamics in the ongoing ‘man-woman' game need to be fathomed and dissected to ensure no ill treatment is meted out to anybody.
Dr. Dheep, psychiatrist and CMD TOPKIDS , says empowerment for women should not be viewed as a coveted concession bestowed upon them. Rather, it is the maturing of women to play a wider role in the shaping of society and the polity. Empowerment should start from the way a young girl thinks about herself and her perceived roles as she grows up. “Let's celebrate because women are different from men, not because they are becoming more like men!” he says.
Professor in Tamil, Thiagarajar College, G. Gnanasambandan feels the hype around the day is not really needed. Instead, in his view, young and old, men and women should be reminded about women who rocked the world and created history and were ahead of their times. “Let us not lose the seriousness to a media-savvy fun day like Valentine's Day,” he pleads.
Businessman Mr.Ismail Hajeemoosa wants everyone to realize that women are indeed the builders of a good society. “We should be able to recognize the attributes in a woman, of being kind, compassionate, loving and caring, cheerful and selfless, encouraging and patient. These qualities give her the ability to become a source of power.”
The Director (Projects), Aravind Eye Care Systems, Dr. Aravind Srinivasan, asserts that special days need to be earmarked to highlight the significance of various issues. “It is appropriate that Women's Day is celebrated with vigour to mainstream the plight of majority of women, who still continue to be at the receiving end. A resurgent India with equal rights to both women and men is a dream of our founding leaders that we are still chasing.”
Sahitya Akademi winner Su. Venkatesan rues the double-edged attack inflicted on women through caste and gender. “Why do we eulogise women by only naming gods and rivers and disrespect the one who embraces us and makes our lives better. Every family should initiate healthy discussion on gender issues and understand the importance of treating girls as equals.”
The Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Madurai, Swami Sivayogananda, citing examples from history and science to mythology and religion, underlines that women have always stood at par with men through the ages where knowledge and wisdom is concerned. They have always been determined and uncompromising on their goals and exemplary achievers in their fields. “Today's claim for equal rights for women is pseudo-intellectual. The woman only needs to make her aspirations clearer,” he notes.
CII Madurai Zone Chairman Mr.Shyam Gupta also finds it paradoxical that in the land of Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati, we need a day to remind people of a woman's potential. “The still persisting social and economic inequality can be countered when the mother is educated and aware. Empowerment will follow automatically and daughters and sons will be treated and encouraged equally in both rural and urban homes to follow their dreams,” he remarks.
The Senior President, TN Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Madurai, Mr.S.Rethinavelu, points out that women, with growing literacy and financial independence, feel more empowered today to assert their right to dignity and self respect. But what they also seek is honour and recognition. “Men should
provide emotional empowerment to women and encourage and motivate them to expose their hidden talents, be it in entrepreneurship, arts, crafts or social activities,” he says.
Everybody agrees that a woman's way of working, thinking, and behaving is always future-oriented. Her means and ways are also far more inclusive. So let us all collectively make Women's Day a moment that counts and lasts.
U. Sahayam, District Collector : “Development of a nation and society will not be complete without the participation of women. But the real celebration would not get complete without reaching out to rural women. The progress happening in rural areas should be taken as the yardstick to measure the success of women.”
P. Kannappan, Inspector General and Commissioner of Police: ”Every celebration is one step forward towards achievement. Women have a major role to play for the betterment of society and family in particular. She remains a spark and backbone behind every man and his work in the form of a mother, sister and wife.”
Karumuttu T. Kannan, Industrialist and Chairman, Thiagarajar College of Engineering: "Opportunities are almost equal in most fields today. It is for women to identify and grab these opportunities and equip themselves with determination, education and training to make the best use of them. Women need to be confident and have the trust in themselves before expecting the same from others. The growing enrolment of women in schools and colleges, and their increasing presence in previously male-dominated bastions from armed forces to IT sector are evidence of changing trends.”
R. Dinesh, Joint Managing Director, TVS Sons & Ltd.: “Women's Day celebrations have helped to bring to the fore the issues which prevent women from having complete and equal opportunities in all fields. Women at work in organized or unorganized sector or at home or elsewhere should be made masters of their destiny with full freedom and choice. Opportunities need to be created through skill development so that they become financially secure and independent. Attitudes of society and family need to change to accept that women bring the much needed different perspective to work, culture and involvement in whatever they do.”
From the diary of any woman…
An ideal Women's Day will be the day
no woman is raped,
no girl child stays at home to work instead of attending school,
no woman is beaten up and burnt alive for the sake of dowry,
no employer sexually assaults a female employee,
no girl child is married off to an old man for money,
no woman is forced to commit sati,
no girl is sold into prostitution,
no female infant is killed, and
no mother is belittled for giving birth to daughters.
