It is rare that any other international observance has swept the globe as has the International Women’s Day. March 8, each year is celebrated as IWD, a day which acknowledges the significance of women. Programmes and events, including commercial establishments all align themselves to toast and cater to the essence of the day. For 2022, the UN given theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, which aims to recognize women who are working to build a more sustainable future. However, the International Women’s Day website diverted from the UN given theme and announced: “Break The Bias” as this year’s concept. The website explains the values of their theme as, “A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” 
The frenzy surrounding IWD, in a way, seems to dilute the message behind this important day. WhatsApp forwards, greetings by those in power are all good but the day must be an occasion for decision makers to think what can be done for the larger benefit of women. Celebrating women, heaping praises is not what women are looking for. What they are looking for is a safe society, equal representation in all walks of life, equal opportunities. As we felicitate iconic women achievers, let us not forget the entire class of women who engage in manual labour in construction sites, in factories, homes and offices.
International Women’s Day started with garment factory workers who demanded better working conditions in New York City in 1908. By 1911, it was taken up as a global cause and celebrated as the first such occasion in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. According to the UN, in addition to “the right to vote and to hold public office,” the people who marched on that day asked for “women’s rights to work, to vocational training and among others an end to discrimination on the job.”
IWD traces its history to feminist movements in Europe and America, and the significance of this day must be remembered.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List