Women’s
Day—A celebration? No, a Reminder!
- Dr. Mukul
S. Godbole
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I am sadly penning down my not-so-soft thoughts on why we should continue to celebrate Women’s Day for years to come.
I have had the fortune to meet some of the most brilliant, strong, witty, mature, artistic, caring, and wealthy yet down-to-earth, women. And I look forward to interacting with many, many more of them. Women’s day is celebrated every year for appreciating women for being who they are—the creators, balance restorers, teachers, thinkers, icebreakers, caretakers, trustworthy companions, and many more—in brief, the world in themselves. Indians (Bharatiya) even worship goddesses who symbolize wealth, health, prosperity, creation, strength, intelligence, art, and so on. Also, it is only in the Indian subcontinent that we celebrate ‘womanhood’. So, technically, all should be hunky-dory now, right? The story is way different from ‘fine’. Some thinkers believe that a day should come when we do not need to ‘celebrate’ women’s day. Yes, that would be an achievement in itself! However, I strongly feel that we, as a civilized society, should continue to celebrate women’s day as a ‘reminder’ to everyone of the oppression that women have endured and continue to endure. The 8th of March commemorates everything that had to be and is being done to reach the current stage of ‘gender equality’. It is like the national independence or republic day that we continue to celebrate even after 75 years of attaining independence!
Females are born tolerant and resilient—their chances of survival, if born as a twin, are more than their male counterpart. As an adult, women (adequately nourished, of course) have a far better immunity than men of the same age—courtesy, hormones! Women can better tolerate academic or job failures than men of the same age. Further, women top medical entrance and IAS exams almost every year; not to mention the SSC/HSC board exams! Moreover, we have special units for women in the armed forces, police, civil service, etc. But, only a few of those self-made and motivated top rankers make it to the top of the career ladder! That brings me to a strange (in the 21st century, yes!) question: why were and are women oppressed? Why only they are made to sacrifice? The answer, to me, is pretty straight forward: most men are afraid that women would overpower them. Men are cowards and losers. Several men have frequently stopped women from working, attaining top positions, deprived access to basic and humanitarian necessities, impeded their growth, suppressed their feelings, humiliated them publicly, abolished their rights over their own thoughts, body and clothing, physically and mentally assaulted them, and what not. Women have been made an ‘object’, whose ‘price’ can be set, by the #$%@* men who consider themselves above everyone else. Sadly, the world’s ‘wealthiest and strongest democracies’ (e.g., the U.S.) are ‘still’ debating on and banning women’s right to abortion! They believe that abortion comes against their religious beliefs! No scientific data there. Such a shame! This gender bias has been the talk of this millennium. Again, it is a shame on the society that we are yet to resolve this basic aspect of life—equality! The day everyone starts to ‘see’ women as humans, just like you and me, and not some materialistic objects, we will regain our lost balance! An attainment of that stage would allow us to sustain as a civilization, for centuries (before a global catastrophe)! Till then, we all will continue to rot, and hence, we need to celebrate Women’s Day, at least annually. But, dare you approach this day as a ‘pity’ to your woman counterpart!
My utmost respect to women! We are, because, You are.
We-Men Respect YOU, today and each day.
#WomensDay
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