Every year on March 8th, the globe comes together to commemorate International Women’s Day, which is commemorated not only by flowers and social media posts, but also by introspection, acknowledgement, and a collective call to action. But have you ever thought about what this day means to the ladies around you? To the moms, sisters, daughters, coworkers, and friends who manage a million responsibilities without asking for recognition?
It’s easy to get caught up in the symbolism — the colourful commercials, inspiring statements, and limelight moments — but Women’s Day is more than just a one-day celebration. It’s a mirror, reflecting both our development and the holes that remain unfilled.
It’s a day to honour the trailblazers who battled for the liberties we now enjoy, as well as a reminder that the path to equality is far from done.
For many women, this day is more than simply flowers and sweet words; it’s about their daily lives. It’s about a little girl who wants to be an astronaut but is told she’s too ambitious. It’s about a single mother doing several jobs, a business leader striving to be heard in male-dominated boardrooms, and an elderly woman whose contributions were never acknowledged. Women’s Day is a communal heartbeat—an acknowledgement of hardships, a celebration of strength, and a call to action.
Women’s Day is more than just celebrating accomplishments; it’s about remembering the silent fights, the ambitions fostered discreetly, and the perseverance that frequently goes unrecognised.
The weight of unseen crowns
Take a time to ponder about the ladies in your life. There’s the working mother who gets up before dawn, makes lunches, manages meetings, and remembers to call you on your birthday. There’s the young girl who is determined to complete her studies against societal constraints. There’s the grandma who once wanted to be an artist but gave up her canvas for a kitchen.
Their power is not always obvious. It’s frequently in the tiny things – the sacrifices made without hesitation, the grins worn even when the world feels heavy, the fortitude to speak up or remain silent depending on the situation.
Breaking the Stereotypes – One Story at a Time
Let’s talk about Meera, a schoolteacher from a tiny village. She was taught her place was in the kitchen, but she opted to educate the next generation, allowing her daughters to dream greater than she ever could. Or Priya, a business leader who is always fighting the “too emotional” or “too aggressive” labels hurled at women in boardrooms, all while guiding young professionals to discover their voices.
These stories are not uncommon; they are ubiquitous. Every day, small revolutions take place in houses, offices, and classrooms.
The Emotional Labour We Overlook
Beyond professional and personal accomplishments, let us acknowledge the emotional labour that women perform. The mother remembers everyone’s schedules, the friend offers a shoulder to cry on while dealing with her own problems, and the wife or daughter mediates family issues to preserve the peace. This mental weight frequently goes unseen, yet it is just as demanding as any physical activity.
Why do we overlook it? Perhaps because it is expected—a silent, unseen obligation. Women’s Day should serve as a reminder to not only acknowledge but also share their efforts. When was the last time you checked in on the emotional health of the women in your life?
Why Empathy Matters
Women’s Day isn’t about elevating women for a day; it’s about encouraging empathy. It’s important to ask your female coworker how she’s doing rather than assume she has everything worked out. It is about hearing your mother’s childhood stories, which she seldom discusses. It’s about checking up on a buddy who appears strong but may be fighting her own secret battles.
Empathy makes the difference between “celebrating” women and really supporting them. It moves the narrative from a simple acknowledgement to real action.
Beyond the hashtags
While social media campaigns and #WomenPower postings are effective tools for raising awareness, true change takes place off-screen. The father is teaching his youngster about gender equality. The management is lobbying for equitable compensation. It is the schoolgirl who informs her buddy that dreams are genderless.
So, on Women’s Day, let’s go beyond the hashtags. Let’s have unpleasant talks about professional inequalities, the unpaid labour women do at home, and the unattainable beauty standards that are still being peddled to us.
Inspiring The Next Generation
It’s not only about the now; it’s about the future. Let us encourage young females to be courageous, curious, and fearless. Let us demonstrate via words and deeds that kids can be scientists, athletes, CEOs, or artists – anything they want. Representation is important. When a little girl watches a lady shattering barriers, she feels she can do the same.
Similarly, let us educate males the value of equality from an early age. Allow children to grow up recognising their moms, sisters, and female friends as equals who can achieve greatness. True change begins when we raise a generation that does not question a woman’s place in the world, because they understand she belongs everywhere.
A pledge for progress
What can we do to make Women’s Day more meaningful?
- Listen actively: Create areas for women to feel heard, whether in the workplace, at home, or in public forums.
- Support Women’s Ambitions: Encourage the women in your lives to pursue their ambitions, whether it’s a professional change, a creative endeavour, or a new business initiative.
- Educate and advocate: Speak out against prejudice, no matter how subtle it may appear. Awareness is the first step towards transformation.
- Share the Load: Women should not bear all of the emotional and household labour. True equality entails sharing duties.
- Celebrate Every Day: Recognise that the spirit of Women’s Day does not end at midnight. True celebration entails constant respect, equality, and understanding.
A Shared Responsibility
Women’s Day serves as a reminder, a prod to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. It is not only a women’s battle; it is a human one. When women prosper, the entire world benefits.
So, let us commemorate not just remarkable deeds, but also regular ones—the silent struggles, everyday fortitude, and unwavering optimism.
On this Women’s Day, ask yourself, “What can I do to make the world a little kinder, a little fairer for the women around me?”
Because genuine change begins with tiny, passionate actions taken now, tomorrow, and every day.
Also read: Tory Burch: Where Fashion Meets Purpose and Perseverance
