Donning multiple hats, playing multiple roles- juggling through home and office efficiently while taking care of everyone around them. This one life summarizes the life of most of the women around the world. Woman- the most wonderful creation of God, without whom life itself seems impossible and the world seems incomplete.
And so, every year 8th March is celebrated as the International Women Day all across the world to celebrate the achievements of women, to honor them and increase awareness regarding the women rights.
Table of Contents
Introduction & History
28th Feb 1909 was first observed as the National Women’s Day in New York. This was later accepted as the International Women’s Day on 8th March 1910, after the international Women’s conference. In 1975, United Nations also adopted it and since then, the day has been increasingly celebrated across the world.
Every year, United Nations comes up with a theme on the International Women’s Day, for eg., Ending violence against women, Development of Women in rural areas, Gender equality, Women and peace, Women in Decision making etc.
For 8th March , 2018, the theme for International Women’s Day is “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. This theme will draw special attention towards the rights and activism of the rural women across the world who are unfortunately left behind in development and constitute a quarter of the World’s population.
Celebrations Globally
In some countries like Russia, Nepal, Combodia, Cuba, the IWD is an official holiday to celebrate the day, while in other countries like Chile, Croatia etc though it is not a holiday, the day is widely observed. The men and children give flowers and presents to the women in their lives. In some countries, like Bulgaria and Romania, the day is also celebrated as the Mother’s day.
Welfare Organizations for Women in India
India too has been recently paying a lot of attention towards the betterment of women. The Indian organizations have become more sensitive to women and issues that they encounter. There has been increase in the policies to support them, be it by upskilling them, or provide options to work from home or enabling child care.
Also, there are multiple welfare organizations in India that work for women welfare and focus on various issues. Below are some prominent ones.
Azad Foundation – Helps women dealing with abusive relationships
Bharatiya Grameen Mahila Sangh – Welfare and empowerment of women and children
ICRW – Addresses issues like child marriages, violence, education.
Helplinelaw.com – Offers online Legal services
Aasra – Crisis intervention center for lonely, distressed and suicidal.
Prominent Beginnings for Women
There have been many new activities started especially for women empowerment and welfare by Saint Dr Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh ji Insan, head of spiritual organization Dera Sacha Sauda, these are as listed below.
⦁ Liberation of women trapped in prostitution, providing them medical treatment and getting them married in good families, thereby enabling them to join the social mainstream
⦁ Helping the Acid attack victims with medical treatments and getting them married
⦁ Discouraging female feticide and adopting the abandoned girls.
⦁ Helping the financially poor girls and physically challenged girls get married, enabling them with vocational opportunities.
Along with all these worldwide efforts for betterment of women, it is also the responsibility of each one of us to ensure that we respect the women in our lives. We hope to see a better world very soon where each human being is treated equal with respect.
