International Women’s Day began with early 20th-century labour movements. The United States observed National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909. In 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed an annual international celebration at the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. By 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland officially celebrated International Women’s Day. The movement spread worldwide, and in 1977, the United Nations officially declared March 8 as International Women’s Day.
“A woman embodies the entire circle.” She has the power to create, nurture, and transform. People worldwide observe International Women’s Day each year on March 8th. It is a day of hope and reflection that recognizes gender equality in all areas of society. It is a time to honour women’s resilience, patience, inner strength, and courage. This day inspires everyone to challenge stereotypes, shift perceptions, fight prejudice, improve conditions, and celebrate women’s achievements.
If we look at pre-literate history, before the plough existed, women probably planted, ploughed, and harvested crops and did many of these tasks. Apart from hunting large mammals, women painted cave walls and fought wars in prehistoric times.
In Neolithic times, women could weave and create clothing for their people. As a result, women’s social status achieved its pinnacle in the highly developed Neolithic culture; her job was to manage and reproduce life, so enlarging and enhancing the family. Moreover, Neolithic agrarian women farmed the land, cultivated crops, and milled grains into flour. History shows that for thousands of years, the arduous manual labour of women was the crucial driving force behind early agrarian economies.
In the Vedic age, people viewed women as eternal guardians and defenders of morality. During that time, women cared for their families, showed affection, and upheld societal values and principles with full recognition. Historically, women played vital roles in agriculture, industry, family, and social organization. Over time, gender roles changed as society evolved. Today, many see women as powerless, even though they have played a vital role in shaping the history of their countries and communities. In later Indian history, women experienced two distinct phases: one of subjugation and the other of freedom.
In the early Vedic period, society highly valued equality and respect between men and women. However, this gradually declined in the later Vedic period. Many believe that foreign invasions played a vital role in this change. The focus on fairness and harmony, essential to Rig Vedic principles, started to fade.
As a result, women lost their right to Vedic knowledge, mantra chanting, and participation in rituals. They were forced into marriage, confined to household responsibilities, and expected to remain devoted to their husbands. At that time, having a daughter was considered shameful. Later, the practice of “purdah” emerged, compelling women to cover their bodies with clothes. This practice leads to numerous superstitions, further entrenching hardships in women’s lives.
Additionally, harmful practices such as sati-daha (self-immolation of widows), Jauhar (mass self-immolation to avoid capture), the denial of education for girls, the prohibition of widow remarriage, and child marriage became common. These customs and superstitions created a kind of bondage for women, restricting their personal freedom, rights, and dignity. However, throughout history, social reformers have stood against these oppressive traditions and fought to restore women’s rights and independence.
Many women in our country have shown political intelligence, bravery, and sacrifice throughout history. Their contributions to India’s independence are well-documented. Several women continued to support the cause throughout the 20th century through social activism, political leadership, and military leadership.
It shows that tasks should be assigned based on ability rather than gender, as this approach brings better results. In this context, I want to praise Rabindranath Tagore, the great philosopher, who said, “Women are not only the deities of the household fire but also the flame of the soul itself.”
Women’s Day celebrations today have their roots in the past. Now, people globally celebrate this day to honour women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The day reminds everyone to work faster toward gender equality. Across the world, people actively gather to celebrate women’s achievements or march for gender equality.
It is a day when women are recognized for their accomplishments regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political boundaries. The international women’s movement has grown stronger with support from four United Nations women’s conferences. These conferences have helped turn the commemoration into a rallying point for promoting women’s rights and participation in politics and the economy.
On International Women’s Day, we reflect on women’s achievements, call for change, and celebrate the courage and determination of ordinary women who have made a remarkable impact on their countries and communities.
In my compilation, I intend to quote the renowned leader Swami Vivekananda, who said, “The best thermometer to the progress of a nation is its treatment of its women.” Despite remarkable advancements worldwide, no nation has yet achieved true gender equality. Though we live in a patriarchal society, some men have always respected women.
Since the dawn of civilization, women have struggled through a long and difficult journey in society. But has this journey truly ended? It is time to question society: Does access to education and work define women’s freedom? Or is true emancipation only achieved when society recognizes women’s abilities as natural and undeniable?
In today’s era of globalization, we must ask this crucial question of the so-called educated society. Women’s Day is not just for one day—it is every day, everywhere.
(The article is opined on the author’s studies and personal experience and not in any way connected to any organisation or any political party.)
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Writer is a Professional Web Developer Guwahati, Assam.
Email: mrdinfotechnology@gmail.com