We will soon be celebrating yet another international women’s day. When the existence of women is toasted by the world. When she is lauded for her achievements. When she is appreciated for being multifaceted. When she is wooed by the market. When shopping malls, beauty parlours, commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs, offer her a bit of everything. When corporates and office establishments declare a holiday to let her have an outing. When reams of news print is written on “women firsts”, “women leaders”, “women trailblazers” et al. When we pride ourselves on electing the “first Indian Woman President”. As a nation, we will whip up the feel good factor about womanhood and feel nice about it.
But, was 20007 better for women that we can gloat about it and celebrate in 2008? Are we actually better off than last year to celebrate international women’s day on a larger scale? Have we, as a society, grown more mature and more tolerant so that women both in the public sphere feel more safe and secure than ever before ? Is there any one reason that will make women in our lives feel proud of our actions? Anything at all…
Meanwhile, I fervently hope that the society will be a better place for women to live in 2008. Is it too much to ask for?
