I was going from one channel to another on the radio. Sick of ads saying – special for International Women’s day!! Do we really need one in this day and age? If so, why & where?
UN.org says this for why women’s day… Impatient optimists at Bill & Melinda Gates foundation say this on why still?
Yes, I understand there are many places where uplifting of women is needed. No arguments there at all.
Me personally, I don’t want a special day. I want to just be treated on par. I seriously do not want a women’s bank as proposed by the FM in the budget. My reaction was like for what joy?! I do not want special quotas anywhere. I must get something because I am worthy of that. I want to prove myself for the skills & knowledge I have. Not because I am a woman! If I apply for a ration card, and am posed a question “who is the head of the family?”; if I respond saying that I am….I want the guy there to accept it – not retort asking who my father is or husband is!!!! I am not an object of sex to be gaped at, but a fellow human being to be seen at with respect that I would proffer to the other.
Don’t get me wrong….on a lighter note, yes I want someone special to treat me as someone special 😉 not just on this day…but every day!!! 😉 Just waiting for that someone who will treat me as an equal and consider me special 😉
I find that people are making this a huge joke!! Special offers, discounts, contests, walks, special messages to the special women, remembering women who have excelled in their fields. Excuse me…if we are special on this day, we are special everyday!! Those women who are achievers need to be acknowledged all the time; not just on this particular day. Alright, let all this be done…how much of the proceeds made through these sales actually go to say save a girl child from being aborted/murdered?!
I know it might sound like blasphemy but I do not support celebrating womanhood on one particular day. Do we stop being women on other days?!
I want a society where it is no big deal for a woman to walk into a pharmacy, with men around or not…and ask for a sanitary napkin without being embarrassed. Why even ask for a condom (ok…I know considering the circumstances here in India that is a stretch for now! 🙂 ). Isn’t having periods a part of being a woman?! Why whisper?!?!
We have come far in terms of equality for women and oppression. Voting, Representation, leadership, education. I know we have a long way to go to be really equal (may be when it is not considered blasphemy when I say let the guy take on the girl’s name and vice versa…after all they are getting married to each other! 🙂 )
I wish people understand the significance of the day than make it so commercial that it actually loses its value.
Think I have ranted enough! 😀 Do let me know how many share my views. Am open to hearing opposing views too….
PS: I found that international men’s day is on November 19th! How many knew that?!?!
Random Ruminations 
I don’t mind in general having special days for certain occasions to celebrate the progress we made in areas such as equal rights, women rights or what not. I wish the people with power work bit harder to continue make progress in these areas and bring stricter laws.
Hey Apar, on a good note, it made you blog one more time. I see you are blogging more often this month. hahaha, I hope it’s not due to your broken iPhone5. I do love my iDevices.
It is not just getting in stricter laws but making sure that they are enforced properly! & yeah…it is probably because of my broken iPhone! LOL. I do love my iDevices too… It has helped me finish 2 books and am on to my third now!! 🙂