Comrades,
It’s
my honour to address you all on the occasion of ‘International Womens Day’ on 8th
March 2015. This day is a celebration of the struggle of women, the world over,
and their achievements, in realising the just and equitable role and position for
women in society, in workplace and as a homemaker. This day is also a reminder
of the road ahead, the enormity of the tasks that still stare at us. This day
is a day to resolve, to rededicate ourselves to the task of women emancipation
and empowerment.
The
word ‘woman’ is not singular, it is a plural noun. If the Oxford Dictionary says otherwise, we
need to let them know why. A woman is always an eco-system, balancing multiple
roles, multiple commitments, at multiple places of work – both in office and
also at home. There might be CL, EL etc in office, but there is not a single CL
or EL in house. Good health or bad health, the tasks of bringing up children,
and other home-making works don’t give any break. In addition to these, many of
us are engaged in other interests like music, painting, culture, sports etc.,
and it is really a miracle that women manage to do so many things, and still
appear cheerful and charming. The word multi-tasking doesn’t find more
resonance anywhere. In fact, women contribute more to the society. If you
educate a man, you are educating one person. If you are educating a woman, you
are educating a family.
In
spite of the effervescent and vibrant roles that women play as mothers,
sisters, daughters, friends, soul-mates, co-workers and in social service,
women are often trampled upon in world societies, both in war and peace. The
past year witnessed some of the most horrific incidents that shook our sense of
humanity. 276 school-girls were kidnapped in Nigeria in April 2014, and not
released till now. According to Amnesty International, hundreds of Yazidi women
were sold by ISIS into sexual slavery. Using women as soft targets is a blot on
humanity and questions the very meaning of civilisation.
Even
in the civilised and sophisticated corporate world, many business shenanigans
squirm at the thought of giving equal pay and respect to their women employees.
This year witnessed the most distasteful episode of Microsoft CEO’s statement
that women should accept their karma, when he was asked about equal pay for
women in software industry. This shows the deep-rooted prejudice that women are
burdened with, and the enormity of the road ahead of the women’s movement in
India and the world over.
We
can fight this only with deep understanding and belief in women’s capabilities
and strengths. Even under the weight of all the prejudices, women have been
charting stellar performances everywhere. Not only the immense multi-tasking
roles and expectations that every woman upholds, many are blazing a path of
leadership and success, leaving a trail of pride and inspiration, not only in regular
careers but also in high tech scientific and futuristic fields, which are
traditionally considered as male bastions. Smt. Padmashree Warrior from
Vijayawada is the Chief Technology & Strategy Officer (CTSO) at Cisco,
which powers the world’s telecom architecture. She is in-charge of the telecom
machinery which runs our mobile phones, internet and whatsapp, for present and
for future. Indra Nooyi from Chennai is Pepsi’s global Chairman & CEO. Mary
Kom became Olympic Bronze medallist and Asian Gold Medallist in boxing, when
she was a mother of three. Kiran Mazumdar Shah of Biocon is a genetics
entrepreneurial wizard, having a street named after her in Australia on 5th
March 2015. There are lot more stellar achievements of working women in
business and other spheres.
These
achievements are just a pointer to show that all that a women needs is a little
enabling. Enable the women, and they will do wonders, to the families,
workplaces and the societies. Give women the right education and training,
safety in work-place and transit, freedom from violence and discrimination, respect
as an equal gender, belief in their capabilities – the society will transform
into a much better place. There is no better time to realise and rededicate to
this goal, than the year in which Malala Yousufzai got the Nobel Peace Prize
for fighting for education. There is no easy path to achieve this, and I call
upon all women comrades, to struggle for equitable rights, with passion,
determination and hunger for success.
On
this momentous day, it’s our duty, of everyone - common people, men and women
comrades, the leaders, the policy makers and the government - to understand and
appreciate that women deserve their rightful equitable empowerment. In fact, this
year, we are also observing 20 years of Beijing Declaration on Women’s Rights. UNO
declared the campaign slogan as “Empowering Women, Empowering humanity”, i.e.
if we empower women, we empower humanity. The theme for this year’s
International Women’s day is rightfully coined as “Make it Happen”. On this
occasion, as Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of the Central Government
Employees and Workers, I call upon everyone to join hands and give a clarion
call – Yes, we will make it happen.
Believe
in yourself.
Usha Bonepalli
Chairperson,
Women’s
Committee,
Confederation of
Central Government Employees and Workers,
New Delhi.
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