Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. As I embark today, I pray for your guidance and protection for each and every soul who inhabits your special heritage here on earth. On this International Women’s Day, I pray that you direct our path and lead us to advance in the right direction as we face the many challenges in life’s situation. I pray that you keep our mind at peace as we focus our heart to all those around us.
Today, let us ask a new passion from God in lifting and building each other up; to live in harmony with any community, caste, creed, race, gender, religion, culture and any other stratum. In today’s world, women are the greatest example who realised their strengths and abilities, and would step out to make their best contribution for the betterment of mankind and the society as a whole. A woman’s heart is a dwelling place that manifests both patience and endurance. She strives to reach out to cater the needs of those around her. Being a woman, I am aware that we always wear strong armour of confidence which shows no struggle is big enough for we have a vision that is mighty enough.
As a symbol of honour for all the industrious women, the UN announced March 8 as International Women’s Day to acknowledge the very generous contributions by all the wonderful women of the world. However, everyday is Women’s Day because women are the blessed mindset which the whole world possesses. The epitome in respect of patience, endurance and comprehensiveness is so profound that it has a huge societal impact.
On this occasion of International Women’s Day, let us pray for all those who faced a threat from the notorious mind who have no compassion for fellow human beings. I deplore all violence and strongly condemn this atrocious act of hate and terror and pray for the safety of all.
Before proceeding further, let us remember to place the entire human race in our prayer. Last year the whole world turned at its sixes and sevens and everyone faced a threat of global pandemic attack from the disruptive and harmful novel coronavirus which is also known as Covid-19. Never before has humanity encountered a single common enemy that affects every man jack and the world is facing a global health crisis and precious lives have been lost.
In seasons like this, people are facing a financial crisis, education has been disrupted, teacher’s salaries are stagnated, businesses are shattered and the most affected are the farmers, labourers, daily wages, the most vulnerable, the marginalised and overall the country’s economy has dwindled. Many are losing their occupation and the women are twice as men in losing their jobs and it is slowly pushing them into depression, youths are frustrated and everyone is stressed because the Covid-19 crisis has caused so much economic distress. In times where there is chaos and upheaval due to the global pandemic attack of Covid 19, rather than seeking answers to every heightened question, we should become the answers. Today we are entering a new chapter in our lives. We survive the battle victoriously and everyone has contributed in winning the Covid 19 war vigorously.
To get back on track, we cannot just sit and wish, we have to do things differently. This also means stripping all the stumbling blocks and hurdles that hold women and girls back. The struggle to gain global gender equality has been a centuries-long battle. Although the world has significantly gained ground in empowering women and aims at gender equality, yet, women and girls still suffer from bias and violence. This iniquity, however, can build a more harmonious society once inequality and discrimination are eliminated. Women, however, can perceive that not all males discriminate against females.
There are actually many real decent men that know and understand the worth of a woman. We are confident at this juncture that women are about to manifest hidden blessings to reap an equivalent, all-embracing and nurture a substantial future because women are born not just to fill the space or to be a background character in someone else’s stories or movies, but we are here on this earth is because God chose us to be. He alone is the director and the producer of our lives.
As I paused and reflected on the director and the producer of my life high above, I anticipate a redemptive end to the story I’m in; all of us are not born in the same manner, so we should not hurt, belittle, judge or look down upon anyone because we are still breathing the same air and have one common gift, that is “LIFE”. Through this platform I aspire a heartwarming International Women’s Day to all the third gender as well who have gained legal identity.
They have passed the greatest test because they can handle the ones who mishandled them. These words I avow will either attract a strong mind or offend weak ones because in the expedition of life, our moves will be misunderstood by those not meant to join us on our journey, but being brave enough to be that someone and set an example wherever you go, that is where your worth comes from.
Let us be a message of hope because our small act of kindness today may inspire someone who is struggling in their own way. We need one another, perhaps even more so; for there may be moments in life where we falter and need someone to pick us up and at other times, someone somewhere may need our encouragement to support them in our prayers and our presence.
It doesn’t matter for a woman of how small her gesture or performance is, as long as her simple act of kindness can make a difference and bring changes in someone’s life. We are all on a stage before a watching and listening world. Each of us has our own unique stamp that expresses our particular mix of gifts, passions and wisdom. In this life, some may look to the right and some to the left, but a strong woman reminds one and all that the good times are when we look at the common sight.
By every small action that women take and by every ethical knowledge that they acquired, Women are not just creating a better version of themselves but they also bring a meaningful change in this world.
(The writer is a scholar at Mahatma Gandhi University and teacher at Sein Jaintia Morning School, Shillong)
