This Women's Day, let's tear down the rose-tinted facade and embrace the raw reality of women's experiences.
Every year, social media explodes with generic greetings on this day.
While the sentiment might be sincere, these fleeting gestures feel like a band-aid on a gaping wound.
They fail to address the deep-seated inequalities that women encounter daily, leaving a sense of unfinished business lingering in the air.
It just doesn’t feel right.
Unfair even.
You know why?
Because there are a lot of words said, but no actions taken.
The annual ritual at most of the workplaces?
Chocolate and plastic roses would be passed around today, accompanied by forced smiles and generic "Happy Women's Day" wishes. (Many don't even get that)
But beneath the surface, a question lingers inside every woman:
"Is this truly all we deserve?"
Is this the extent of acknowledging the complexity of our lives, the unceasing battles we fight, and the silent struggles we endure?
"Where was this “love” and “respect” when I opened up, was vulnerable, described my struggles and was still not considered human enough to have my feelings heard, validated and acted upon?"
The truth is, discussing "women's problems" is often shrouded in a thick veil of silence.
“Shhhh.. Ye sab baat yaha thodi karte hai..
Chup raho, baad mei baat karenge.”
It's a topic deemed uncomfortable, even taboo, especially in professional settings.
This silence breeds inaction, perpetuating the status quo and leaving women feeling unheard, unsupported, and invisible.
And that’s how women internalize it all.
It has been going on since generations and women are made to feel “less”.
My own experience shows this dark reality.
On a scorching summer day, I boarded a public bus in Bangalore, to reach my office. Opting for full coverage, I wore a long, flowing kurta and a dupatta draped over my head – a shield against the harsh sun and the ever-present threat of unwelcome stares.
Yet, even these precautions weren't enough.
A man, who had the option to sit anywhere in the bus, chose to stand uncomfortably close to me, in the “women only” seats, invading my personal space.
His gaze, heavy and predatory, lingered on me, making my skin crawl.
Despite being in a public space, surrounded by people, I felt utterly alone, vulnerable, and exposed.
He spoke in a language I didn't understand on his phone, but the smirk on his face and the way his eyes gleamed needed no translation.
He was describing me, his words laced with vulgarity, to someone on the phone, eliciting laughter and crude comments at my expense. He even tried to touch me, pretending it was the bus brakes which made him “misbalance”.
Panic clawed at my throat. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the worn-out bus seat, but my body was frozen in fear.
Finally, when the bus reached the next stop, I mustered every ounce of courage and shouted, demanding to get off.
Even then, the conductor didn’t allow me to get off.
“These North Indians don’t have any manners”, he said.
I tried again at the next stop but that creepy man wouldn't budge, blocking my exit.
The bus lurched forward, and it was only then that I managed to push past him and scramble towards the exit.
The bus stopped because of traffic and I got off immediately.
Shaken and trembling, I walked for what felt like an eternity until I reached another bus stop.
Surrounded by strangers, I sipped water, desperately trying to regain my composure. And then I made myself believe that this won’t happen again and mustered the courage to board another bus to reach my office.
Women shouldn't have to live like this, constantly on guard, bracing for the next violation. We shouldn't have to shrink ourselves to avoid unwanted attention or sacrifice our safety for the sake of convenience.
I shared my experience of Bangalore in detail but it doesn’t mean that this only happens in India.
Even when I went on a family trip to Europe, I felt unsafe the moment the sun set. There were drunk men on the road, nasty boys who would pass mean comments and it felt unsafe even in “Developed countries”.
This happens everywhere with women.
Ask any woman or girl around you and she will have a traumatizing story to tell.
Don’t believe me? Go ask your mother, your sister, your girl - friend, your teachers, your colleagues, anyone around you.
We don't need no roses.
Do you really know why Women's day is celebrated?
On March 8th every year, we mark the struggles and achievements of women globally. It's a day to recognize their contributions to society and call for gender equality.
The exact origin of Women's Day is debated, but it's widely attributed to women's rights movements that gained momentum in the early 1900s.
While specific details vary, it's believed that women from various countries, including the United States and Europe, organized protests and rallies demanding voting rights, better working conditions, and equal treatment.
While there's no single individual credited with "coining" the term "Women's Day," it emerged as a unifying symbol for these movements and gained international recognition in 1975 when the United Nations officially designated March 8th as International Women's Day.
In India though, the 13th of February is known as National Women's Day. This day is an annual celebration and homage to Sarojini Naidu, an eminent poet, stateswoman, and revolutionary in India for her outstanding efforts to the promotion of women's rights.
This Women's Day, let's do something actionable instead of just sharing a rose with the woman you love.
Here are some meaningful ways to celebrate:
Amplify diverse voices: Share stories of women who inspire you, advocate for their causes, and create a platform for their narratives to be heard. Don't shame or "shhhh.." them.
Challenge bias: Call out sexist remarks and promote equal opportunities in your workplace and community. When will we stop making all those “wife” jokes, “supermom” abuse, “asking for it mentality”, and calling names to random women on the streets?
Educate and empower: Support initiatives focused on gender equality, raise awareness about existing challenges, and encourage open conversations about these issues.
Celebrate individual journeys: Recognize the unique achievements and contributions of the women in your life, regardless of their profession or background.
It all sounds so unachievable and I feel hopeless while writing this but there’s still a ray of hope inside me which made me write this article. Wishing it brings at least 0.00000001% change in our society.
If you're still wondering what women want, read this.
Try sharing this article as a “good morning” message today instead of random gifs in your Whatsapp groups and social media.
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This Women's Day, let's spark a conversation that goes beyond the bouquet. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
How can we create a world where women not only feel safe, celebrated, and respected, but also empowered to reach their full potential and rewrite the narrative for generations to come?
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