Women in the city took to streets as they marched from Connaught Place to Jantar Mantar to mark the Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8 every year. The 8 March, Saath March rally demanded “azadi (freedom)” from “patriarchy, hierarchy, violence and silence.”
Most women feel that the Women’s Day should not be restricted to celebrations on a single day. Richa Sharma, a resident of South Delhi, told this newspaper, “I feel it’s really liberating to celebrate the Women’s Day, but it should not be restricted to one day. The respect for women should not die with the end of this day. As per the latest statistics 43 per cent of crimes against women occur in households, within the family, hence behaviour change communication should be imparted both in urban as well as rural areas.”
Delhi University student Arshita argued, “Well on this Women’s Day, as far as women are considered, the biggest issue is the thought that we don’t need feminism anymore. The societal backlash towards the moment is disheartening and scary. There are terms used like ‘feminazi,’ which is extremely derogatory. The demand for greater freedom in public and private space is being looked down upon as being too radical.”
Some women feel that there is much more than just living with the status of women empowerment. Ujla said, “I feel there are many girls who are helpless even today, especially those who are married of at the age of 20. I saw a girl whose husband had an affair with her sister, but just because she is in love with him she begged him to stay with her. This is not love, this is helplessness. Providing facilities for empowerment comes later, but the most important thing is that men should treat women equally and give them importance. Till the time there is no respect for women, women empowerment is of no use.”
Another young woman, Ginni Seth, felt proud that women have started raising their voice against bad and evil forces in the society. “Happy Women’s Day to all those bold and strong women who have evolved through hard times of their lives. Hats off to all those who started raising their voice against bad and evil forces. Now, women are empowering not only themselves, but also people around them. It’s good to see how women are taking control over economic society of our country. But women who are still facing violence, discrimination need to come out of the shell.”
