Sr. (Dr.) D.J. Margaret, FMA –
International Women’s Day (IWD) – a day dedicated to women around the world – is celebrated on 8th March in honour of women. It’s a day to acknowledge the remarkable contribution of all the women, especially those who have paved the path towards women’s progress and who struggled to take ‘womanhood’ to an echelon where it is now.
On this special day we also appreciate and value the role of women as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, colleague… Several resolutions have been passed globally to protect women’s rights, which have opened up richer and broader avenues for the growth and development of women in our society. Today women across the globe actively participate and lead in politics and law, education and economy, social and cultural work, corporate and sports, IT and science, research and development… Women value and enjoy their being, identity, power, beauty and fulfillment…
Celebrate the Awesomeness of Being Women
The celebration of International Women’s Day is the celebration of the awesomeness of being a woman. All that women desire on International Women’s Day is that they be given their due respect, true love, equality, mutuality, interdependence, and holistic freedom. Women are breaking all the stereotypes and the conventional moulds that are oppressive and discriminative. It is a moment to render thanks for the generations of amazing women who have come before us, and the generations of phenomenal women still to come.
On a significant day like this, we are invited to celebrate the inspiring and courageous work women around the world are doing to secure their rights and shape more just and equitable societies. It’s an occasion for women to get connected with one another physically, virtually and spiritually. It is an opportunity to reflect, rejoice and empower ourselves as a family/community/society with women across the world. However, the true celebration of Women’s Day lies in identifying the rights and power of women and giving them a status that they deserve so that they can transform the world.
Re-ignite Women’s Power to Transform
The celebration of the International Women’s Day is a tribute to all the women who have fought across time and space against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, marginalization, violence and lack of equal opportunities for women. Women’s Day is a reminder of the discrimination and inequality that still continues to plague our society. It is a day to acknowledge women’s power and struggles not only in breaking all barriers but in reaching the pinnacle of success in every sphere of life, thus shaping the present and the future of human family and community.
International Women’s Day needs re-ignition because the gender parity has still not been achieved. On this memorable day we are invited to become aware of and be sensitive to the voices of many women that go unheard, pains ignored, tears unnoticed, roles denied, desires unfulfilled, dreams unrealized, place and space unsecured, potentials and talents unrecognized… It is a chance to take stock of the status of women, gender equality, but also to look beyond ones borders and deepen ones thinking about the future equal progress of women and men.
Everyone should understand that the human race is one community in two genders and therefore, it is the duty of everyone to make the fullness of humanity and community available to both women and men. However, it is a clarion call to shed light on all things standing in the way of true equality and justice for women. It is a call for freedom from a patriarchal system that distorts and cramps the human development of women and men to the so-called glass ceiling to rape and domestic violence.
To celebrate women is to celebrate life and love, womanhood and motherhood. We need to envision a world where each girl and woman can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination. We need to support leaders, innovators, and risk-takers who play an important role in obtaining gender equality, equity, justice, and women’s empowerment by expanding the possibilities for women around the globe.
International Women’s Day celebration is an occasion to express our love and gratitude to all women for their presence and role in our lives. Let the empowerment of women continue to be a central feature of the worldwide efforts to address social, economic, cultural, and political challenges across the globe. Let us promote the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, lasting peace, sure security, and full respect for human life and rights. Let us resolve to affirm the principle of equality between women and men by creating a historic legacy of internationally-agreed strategies, policies, standards, programmes and goals to advance the status of women worldwide.
Sr. (Dr.) D.J. Margaret has an Under-Graduate and a Post-Graduate Degree in Mathematics. She holds a Diploma in Salesian Spirituality, Rome; a Bachelor and a Master Degree in Theology, VidyaJyoti College, Delhi. She has obtained a Ph. D Degree in Christian Studies from the University of Madras, Chennai, entitled, “An Inquiry into the Role of Spiritual Beliefs and Practices in Post-diagnosis Care of Women Living with HIV/AIDS”. In addition to research articles in the field of women studies, she has authored two books: “Women in Mission” and “Finding God in Illness and Care-giving”. Her intellectual pursuits are complemented by her commitment to education, formation and animation of young girls, women, and teachers.