INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S
DAY
We will make it happen.
Believe in yourself
Usha Bonepalli,
Chairperson, Women’s Committee,
Confederation of CG
Emp. & Workers, New Delhi
Comrades,
It
gives me an immense sense of honour and togetherness to address you all on the
occasion of International Womens Day on 8th March 2016.
International
Women’s Day is a global day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural and
political achievements of women. From time immemorial, women are the driving
force that propel the wheels of families, communities, societies and the
nation. Tirelessly.
A
woman is always an eco-system, balancing multiple roles, multiple commitments,
at multiple places of work – both in office and also at home. Good health or
bad health, the tasks of bringing up children, and other home-making works
don’t give any break. In addition to these, many of us are engaged in other
interests like music, painting, culture, sports etc., and it is really a
miracle that women manage to do so many things, and still appear cheerful and
charming. The word multi-tasking doesn’t find more resonance anywhere.
In
spite of the effervescent and vibrant roles that women play as mothers,
sisters, daughters, friends, soul-mates, co-workers and in social service,
women are often trampled upon in world societies. In place of due recognition
for their stellar roles, women are subject to gender discrimination and bias,
and even gender violence. We hear gruesome incidents of women and girls being
abducted and abused, the world over. In war torn Nigeria and Iraq, women are
soft targets and abducted for slavery. In feudal societies at home and abroad,
women are killed for honour. And girls are not allowed to even attend school,
in many parts of the world. This discrimination is rampant not only in places
that are known for medieval mindset, but even in most modern office spaces.
Organisations discriminate women in matters of pay and respect. The marketplace
treats women as commodities.
Yet
women and girls have shown resilience, even in the face of life threatening
adversities. From the stellar example of Malala Yousufzai to the unsung stories
of many, girl children have fought back the world over, to claim their right to
education. Beno Zephine from Tamilnadu fought to overcome her handicap and
became the first 100 % visually impaired person to become IFS officer. From
Indra Nooyi (Chairperson – Pepsico) to Padmalatha Warrior (CTO for Cisco,
Motorola), to Kiran Mazumdar Shah (CEO – Biocon), women have made their stellar
mark in office and workspace. Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal make World no. 1 and
no. 2 look simple.
These
success stories throw up three ingredients of women’s success. The three E’s.
Education, enabling and empowerment. Its women’s right to receive equal
education, in villages, towns and cities. Education creates the platform for
women to unshackle the gender bias, discrimination and fosters confidence and
self reliance. Give women the right education and training, safety in
work-place and transit, freedom from violence and discrimination, respect as an
equal gender, belief in their capabilities – the society will transform into a
much better place. Societies should engage in providing enabling conditions for
women to flourish, and achieve success in their various roles at home and
workspace. Conditions for professional growth, identity, recognition, keeping
in the mind the special needs of child rearing and health. But enabling cannot
happen without empowerment. In Beijing Declaration of Womens Rights 2015, UNO
declared the campaign slogan as “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity”.
Recognition is dawning that empowering women empowers humanity. But no one
gives empowerment to women on a platter. Its our challenge to claim and fight
for it. There is no easy path to achieve this, and I call upon all women
comrades, to struggle for equitable rights, with passion, determination and
hunger for success, with belief in yourself. Women should claim their share of
empowerment, with all confidence and might, for women are second to none. Yes,
we can do it. We can make it happen. With confidence in our abilities, and
belief in ourselves. Lets join hands today and take a pledge.
We will make it happen. Believe in yourself.
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