Addressing special issues on International Women’s Day
2024; Elsevier BV; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.4103/cmrp.cmrp_94_24
ISSN2352-0825
Autores Tópico(s)Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
Resumo"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." -Michelle Obama International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide on March 8th to honour women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements. The theme of 2024 is 'Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress'. It holds significant importance in India, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights in a country with a rich but complex cultural tapestry. Besides these, many other issues are seminal to our country, such as female infanticide, marital rape, inequality in the workspace and sexual abuse, to name a few.[1] The women of today also need to balance household chores, professional expectations and health. One of the critical aspects of International Women's Day in India is the recognition of women's contributions across various sectors. From politics to science, literature to sports, Indian women have excelled and made remarkable strides despite facing numerous challenges. For example, women like Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla and Mary Kom have left an indelible mark on Indian history through their leadership, achievements and resilience.[2] However, celebrating International Women's Day in India goes beyond recognising achievements. It also serves as a platform to address systemic issues. Amongst many medical problems, the important ones are cancers of the breast and cervix, depression, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, sexually transmitted disorders and cardiovascular issues. In this aspect, we welcome the government's initiative to promote cervical cancer vaccination against human papillomavirus in the girl child by our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman early this year.[3] International Women's Day catalyses change by raising awareness, fostering dialogue and advocating for policy reforms. It empowers women to strive for a more inclusive society. One social issue in our country has been female foeticide. The PC-PNDT Act was enacted on 20 September 1994, by the government to prohibit prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination of the foetus. The preliminary object of this act was to put a check on female foeticide.[4] In recent years, initiatives such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save Daughters, Educate Daughters) campaign in India have brought attention to gender inequality and sparked conversations about women's rights. These movements demonstrate the power of collective action to drive social change and advance gender equality. As India continues its journey towards gender equality, International Women's Day serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead. It celebrates women's resilience, strength and achievements while calling for sustained efforts to create a more equitable and just society for all. To conclude, 'A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everybody else'. - and… as the famous quote goes… "The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will". -Maya Angelou Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
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