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.
Chairperson,
Women’s Committee,
Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers,
New Delhi.
