Reimagining Women's Day: Beyond Celebration to Actionable Change

End of one more Women’s day celebration, a well-rehearsed fa?ade of empowerment, equality, and progressiveness by large part of the ecosystem, though there are handful of exceptions. Now till next Women’s day, time to focus on Productivity, Cost Optimization, Customer Experience, Revenue, Quality, Innovation and many such important things which are obviously the very purpose of Corporate’s existence. However what disappoints is that, in spite of using this event as an opportunity to engage in performative activism and meeting business objectives, even a fraction of the commitments made on this day don’t see the day light during the entire year beyond board rooms. Countless brands that flood our social media feeds on this day with empowering messages and hashtags, most of which are carefully crafted to align with the latest feminist trends, will not even have a plan in place to meet the basic needs of women at work.

As the sun rises on Women's Day, corporates everywhere scramble to show their support by plastering pink logos on their websites, decorated offices (obviously with pink flowers and balloons) and offering discounts on beauty products. Because nothing screams women's empowerment like a 10% discount on lipstick, right? And let's not forget the obligatory social media posts – the Instagram tributes to famous women, the X (Twitter) threads about gender equality, and the Facebook statuses proclaiming solidarity.

Leaders will dust off their speeches about empowerment, equality, and smashing the patriarchy, all while sipping on their morning Coffee made by underpaid women. It's like the Oscars for feminism, where everyone shows up, claps, and then goes back to their daily lives, leaving the real work for... well, some other time.

There is absolutely nothing wrong about the celebrations, in fact it should be more extravagant, and amplified in much larger way marked by events, social media campaigns, and declarations of support for gender equality.? However, amidst the sea of festivities, it's crucial to take a step back and reflect on the true essence of Women's Day from a different angle—one that moves beyond mere celebration to actionable change.

While it's undoubtedly essential to recognize and honor the progress made in advancing women's rights, it's equally critical to acknowledge the persistent challenges and inequalities that women continue to face. Women's Day provides a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on these issues and galvanize action towards meaningful and sustainable change.

Instead of viewing Women's Day as a standalone event, let's reimagine it as a catalyst for ongoing activism, advocacy, and empowerment.

Few key areas where we can shift our focus:

1. From Celebration to Solidarity: While celebrations are a vital part of Women's Day, let's remember that solidarity is equally important. Women around the world face a myriad of challenges, from gender-based violence to economic inequality to lack of access to education and healthcare. Instead of simply celebrating the achievements of a select few, let's stand in solidarity with all women, amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights.
2. From Awareness to Action: Women's Day often serves as a platform for raising awareness about gender inequality and discrimination. However, awareness alone is not enough. It's time to translate that awareness into concrete action. This could mean supporting organizations that work towards gender equality, lobbying for policy changes, or implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives in our workplaces and communities.
3. From Tokenism to Intersectionality: While Women's Day is meant to celebrate all women, it's essential to recognize that women's experiences are not monolithic. Intersectionality—the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, and sexuality—must be at the forefront of our conversations and actions. We must strive to uplift and center the voices of marginalized women, ensuring that our efforts towards gender equality are inclusive and equitable.
4. From Individual Efforts to Collective Movements: Creating meaningful change requires collective action. Instead of relying solely on individual efforts, let's come together to build movements for gender justice and equality. Whether it's through grassroots organizing, online activism, or community mobilization, our collective power is greater than the sum of its parts.
5. From Symbolism to Substantive Change: While symbolic gestures such as wearing purple or sharing inspirational quotes have their place, let's not lose sight of the need for substantive change. Women's Day should be a time for reflection on the progress we've made and the work that still lies ahead. Let's commit ourselves to tangible actions that will bring us closer to a world where all women can live free from discrimination and oppression.

Women's Day is not just a day to celebrate; it's a call to action. It's a reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over and that each of us has a role to play in advancing this cause. Creating an inclusive space which is not just conducive for women to work rather a space where they truly belong, a space where they don’t have to fit in rather a space which fits in to their aspirations, skills and winning sprit should be the larger objective.? It is important for us to recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment for all women, today and every day.

#IWD #InspireInclusion