Happy Women's Day!!!

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Today is 8^th March. What is so significant about today? That’s right – it’s WOMEN’S DAY.

Women’s day is a day celebrated around the world to honor the achievements of women in various fields and honor their contribution to the development of humankind.

For 24 hours we see women being appreciated, WhatsApp forwards about women empowerment, and "Happy Women's Day" messages pouring in. But what good does that do? I am privileged to have supportive parents, a non-judgemental friend circle, and the means to pursue what I want without facing any oppression. But what about other women? Are measly social media forwards enough for all the judgment they endure year long? 

There isn't a single thing that women aren't judged for. Driving skills, clothing choices, personality - you name it, they're judged for it. A homemaker's responsibilities aren't considered as important as a working woman's, yet both are criticised - the latter for prioritising her work, and the former for just being at home. While this may not be the reality for all women, it is, still, for some, and just because the majority of women don't experience it now, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist or shouldn't be spoken about. 

Feminists are portrayed as man-hating toxic women who argue for the sake of drawing attention. But calling out on the years of oppression women have faced doesn't seem unnecessary, does it? 

(And all misogynists, please stop supporting misogyny under the guise of following culture. You are part of the reason why women still don’t get the rights they deserve.) 

Calling the women in your life "superwomen" and "all-rounders" doesn't give you a free pass to dump all responsibilities on them. If you have someone doing all the basic things for you, on what basis are you self-reliant? 

"Allowing" women to live their life is not equality. When you allow someone to do something, you are asserting dominance, and when one person is dominating the other, according to which dictionary is this equality? 

Today morning, I read an article about a 23-year-old who got his PAN Card and several other documents, after a seven-year-long battle because he wanted only his mother's name printed as the legal guardian. It makes me really happy to know that mothers are starting to receive the importance they deserve. (If you haven't noticed, all important documents - applications, passports, Aadhar card, PAN Card, all require the father's name, and only the father's name is given priority.)

There is change now, yes. 2022 is not 1800. We do see women following their dreams. In many fields the pay scale is equal. Change is visible, but this isn't the reality for all women. Some women still live like they did in the 1800s - silenced, oppressed, and in fear.  Some girls still attend colleges under the condition that they will be married off right after they graduate. And this doesn't happen in villages only, it happens in the homes of so-called "modern people" too. Modernity doesn't lie in living in a fully automated home, having expensive vehicles, and wearing high-end clothes. Your thoughts and deeds show how modern you are. 

We don’t want women’s day cards, flowers, and “HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY” banners. Receiving cards and flowers for one day doesn’t make up for all the judgment we endure year-round.  If you really support women, show it through your actions. If you really want to do something this women’s day, then stop giving us curfews. Stop judging women for their clothing choices. Keep your eyes, hands, and lewd comments to yourself when you see women passing by. Make institutions more women-friendly. Give us the freedom to experience what it is like to walk alone in the streets at midnight wearing what we want without the fear of a creep lurking in the shadows. Show us change and then it will be a happy women’s day for us. That’s all we ask for. 

In the words of G.C Anderson, "Feminism isn't about making women stronger, women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength." 

To all the strong, beautiful, and amazing women in the world, HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY. 

Signing off,