International Women’s Day: Significance of women in the world

यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता: ‘Where Women are worshipped there the god rejoice’ means that women bring good luck and fortune to the household through procreation, they deserve respect and reverence. In other words where women are honoured divinity blossoms there, and wherever women are dishonoured all actions no matter how noble they may be it remains unfruitful.

We all are aware of women’s priority in our lives. I personally have strong faith in women because being a single man in between 4 women in my home, I have deeply observed their need and hard work to make a home-like home.

Women are another face of struggle and patience and their achievements are hidden from nobody. The whole world celebrates the 8th March every year as International Women’s Day to salute their achievements in history and also for spreading awareness regarding women’s rights and gender equality as well.

There’s no doubt that in the past, women were deprived of their rights, and from patriarchy to equal rights like men, women have come from a long struggle.

A Brief Explanation About International Women’s Day

IWD (International Women’s Day) is marked annually on the 8th of March to celebrate Women’s achievements and it also raises equality many NGOs also raise the funds for women’s welfare.

It has been observed since the 1900s but it took several years when officially world honored the first International Women’s Day. After various decisions agreed at Copenhagen in Denmark in 1911, the First International women’s Day was officially announced.

Various rallies campaigns for Women’s rights to vote took place, and as a result of it around 140 working women lost their lives in a Tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York and then after so many discussions and campaigns, the world marked March 8th as INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.

Why Still Women Empowerment Needs to be focused?

Albeit, women have made a different status in the world through their hard work and perseverance but still there are some inequalities that exist which should be taken into consideration some of them include-

Gender Pay Differences

It is an arduous battle for women to combat the stereotypes imposed by society and patriarchy. Despite deserving equal rights, women face unequal pay in various segments of our society, where their income is determined by their gender rather than their skills or knowledge.

Lack of job security

Women in India and around the world frequently experience job insecurity, particularly when it comes to being able to pursue their desired careers. Many people discourage them from seeking higher-skilled jobs and instead push them towards simpler roles.

Moreover, some companies do not invite them to return after taking maternity leave. Shouldn’t we be asking why this happens?

Surrounded by household works

The World Bank reports that although women contribute 66% of the world’s working hours, they receive only 10% of the world’s income. Furthermore, women are responsible for producing 50% of the world’s food, yet they only receive 1% of the income generated from it.

This stark disparity highlights the need for equal opportunities for women to showcase their skills and earn a fair income to support themselves and their families. It’s concerning how strange and unfair the situation is.

As we have stated in our previous blog posts, society plays a crucial role in the development of a nation. However, at times, it can be extremely harsh towards women. For example, in many rural areas, the practice of early marriage still exists despite numerous social revolutions.

When society crushes their opportunities to grow and thrive, many women end up feeling helpless and desperate. It’s even more heart-wrenching when a woman becomes a widow, as society often starts to question her character, limit her freedoms, and scrutinize her clothing choices.

Women already have their fair share of struggles in life, and it’s unfair to make their circumstances even more miserable.

Despite this, there are many women who break the stereotypes thinking and push their limits to new heights and today everyone is appreciating their work.

Women Who Have Changed The World

1. Sarla Thakral: First Indian woman to fly an aircraft (1914-2008)

Born in 1914 in New Delhi, Sarla Thakral did very hard work to become the first Indian woman to enter a cockpit. Even after her marriage at a very young age (16 years old) to Mr P.D Sharma she never lowered her expectations to fit into the world.

As a result in 1936 at the young age of 21, she earned an aviation pilot license and flew a GYPSY MOTH SOLO. She was a mother of a four-year-old daughter at that time.

After obtaining her initial license she completed 10000 hours of flying in the aircraft. Later she became a successful businesswoman, and painter and began designing clothes and jewellery.

2. Melitta Bentz: A German Business women

Born as Amalie Auguste Melitta Liebscher in 1873 in Dresden, Germany, Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz was a German entrepreneur who achieved great success by inventing the coffee filter in 1908.

Despite being a housewife, her experimentation with various methods led her to use blotting paper from her son Willy’s school exercise book and a brass pot punctured with a nail, resulting in a less bitter coffee. This invention was a proud moment for everyone around her.

With true dedication and enthusiasm, she decided to establish her own business, ultimately becoming a successful German businesswoman. She named her company Melitta Group KG, which is still being run by her grandchildren to this day.

3. Simone Biles: A Successful American Gymnast

With an exceptional career record of 30 Olympic and world championship medals, Simone Arianne Biles not just made America proud but also set up inspiration for all of us. She was born in 1997 in Columbus Ohio, U.S.

Her parents were unable to take care of her. Therefore, along with her 4 siblings she went in and out of Foster care. Her maternal grandfather helped her a lot in her career building. He switched her from public schooling to homeschooling and allow her training of 22-32 hours per week. She is truly an inspiration for not only women but for every human being.

4. Anandi Gopal Joshi: First Indian Female practitioner of Western Medicine

Anandi Gopal Joshi was born on March 31, 1865, in Maharashtra, India. Anandi was married at the young age of 9 and became a widow at 14. Her husband’s death was due to the lack of medical facilities in the country, which inspired her to become a doctor.

With the support of her progressive husband, Gopalrao Joshi, Anandi sailed to the United States in 1883 to study medicine. She enrolled in the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and earned her medical degree in 1886, becoming the first Indian woman to do so.

After completing her studies, she returned to India and started practicing medicine, primarily treating women and children. Unfortunately, Anandi’s life was cut short when she passed away from tuberculosis at the young age of 21. Despite her short career, Anandi Gopal Joshi’s pioneering efforts in the field of medicine have inspired countless women in India to pursue careers in medicine and other fields traditionally dominated by men.

To read more about Anandi Gopal Joshi visit here.

5. Bessie Coleman: First African American Female Aviator (1892-1926)

Fighting discrimination Bessie Coleman was the first native African American to hold a pilot license. Her Childhood spends working on cotton farms with her father and along with that, she did her education at a small segregated school.

She had a deep interest in flying from her childhood but due to the lack of opportunities for African Americans and Women in the United States, she moved to France for Flight School. And then she never turned back and became a successful high-profile pilot. She was popularly known as Queen Bess and Brave Bessie.

She died in a plane crash in 1926. She played an inspirational role to early pilots and to the African Americans and Native Americans and all of us.

A women is like a tea bag- you can’t tell how strong she is untill you put her in hot water.

Eleanor roosevelt

Like the above quote, women cannot be undervalued just because they are not muscular. Their perseverance and optimism can’t be underestimated. A woman is a fighter and will always be a fighter. History tells us women are like lone wolves and they had turned small opportunities into big successes on their own.

Women play a critical role in our future and our sustainability because they are more than just human beings; they are entire worlds within themselves. From the earliest stages of life, a woman fulfils multiple roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is like a sponge that absorbs all the negativity around her. Therefore, on International Women’s Day, let us embrace a fresh perspective and challenge the stereotypes that limit our thinking.

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