I have always heard from people about why only women’s day and why not men’s day or why not queer person’s day. My usual answer is ‘always go ahead and celebrate your day’. May be we can always consider celebrating a specific day for our preferred gender identity. Mostly these days, the corporate world celebrates March 8 every year as a day to increase business through women consumers. In cities there are a few institutions raising consciousness on women and many people who are indifferent to this day. Air tight composition of women’s day exclusively for women has also become a ritual of the past. Categorising women as a single identity in the current plurality of socio-cultural construction is also debatable. Most state agencies release special measures, schemes and benefits for women during March 8. In some places men are encouraged to switch the gender stereotypes and respect women’s contribution to their lives. Social media and cyber space gets creatively inclined to celebrate women’s day by designing logos, toggle bars and even apps featuring women. In some workplaces may be the women employees are honoured or acknowledged with perks and a special meal by their male counterparts. As far as the state authorities are concerned, there will be flowery messages on the contribution of women towards their contribution to the nation and so on.
But how far have women reached when it comes to politics, economy, religion, society, human innovation and leadership realms which define the progressive profile of a nation. I wonder whether these days are of any significance to daily wage workers, women weavers, women street vendors, women farmers, women entrepreneurs in the margins, women sex workers, women care givers at homes and institutions, women domestic workers, grassroots women performers, artists and women workers in the lowest rungs of political agencies, religious institutions, social, cultural, economic and legal agencies. All those women and transgendered persons who are homeless, beg to make a living and disabled women whose vulnerabilities are growing with every passing day, elderly women battling with transitions of tradition and modernity, terminally ill women who are waiting to be taken care of, women survivors of violence, rape, poverty, discrimination, acid attacks, sexual harassment, eve teasing, dowry tortures, prison restrictions and cultural strictures need some space to be recognised. I just wish March 8 bring some changes to their lives as well. Equality, justice, liberty and mobility are layered with the glitters of class, gender, race, tribe, caste and sexuality in the Indian context. A women’s identity is defined by the intricate intersections of these layers in the context of the society she lives in. Somehow her life is measured by the judgements she awaits with every milestone she crosses to be accepted, acknowledged and admired throughout her lifecycle stages. Women’s empowerment and save the girl child are just the beginning of the tip of the iceberg which waits to be unfolded in the coming years. It is not enough to have women in society as a token for votes and enforce her participation through thumb impressions and bank accounts. This year the world is stepping up towards equality with ‘Planet 50-50’. Hope women in diverse spheres and contexts can stand up for equality, ensure a healthy living environment and collectivise to catalyse constructive changes. Wish more and more people with any gender identity can march along instead of marching away from the struggle towards equality.
Samhita Barooah, Researcher
