To Be Or Not To Be - The Great Global Women's Day Controversy

It's that time of the year again - the ever controversial 'International Women's Day.'

Impassioned feminists across the globe cannot seem to come to an agreement over the validation and effectiveness of celebrating this well intended and historically impactful commemoration of the cultural, social, and economic achievements of women worldwide, over the years.

From marketing legends to international leaders - the world seems divided on the issue of whether 'women's day' should be celebrated OR NOT?

But, before we get to my opinion on the matter, let's take a look at the rich and truly glorious history of the 'Women's Day' celebration. The celebration originated from the labour movement raging across both North America & Europe in the early 20th Century. It was organised as a celebration by the Socialist Party of America in New York City, for the first time, on February 28th, 1909.

The Women's Day celebration then went on to become a pivotal part of the Suffrage Movement in Soviet Russia and even the American subcontinent. Following which, it became a glaring symbol of the Women's rights movement, bringing much needed attention to global issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.

This paved the way for the Global Feminist movement to embrace the celebration in the late 60s, when finally it was adopted by the UN in 1977. And, even today, it continues to be celebrated across the globe, annually on the 8th of March.

Thus, historically speaking, Women's Day is not just a marketing gimmick for organisations to project their D&I image onto unsuspecting consumers, but rather a true celebration of the long and hard fought battle that an entire half of the society underwent, and continues to go through, for the basic rights that men, mostly, have always taken for granted.

Of course, these days, there is a lot of hue and cry around how women asking for equality should not 'play the women's card.'

But, does that actually even make sense?

Does asking for equality eliminate the biological differences between women and men?

Does accepting the fact that biologically men and women are different eliminate the very argument for intellectual equality?

Does celebrating the long standing history of women's movement make one any less of a feminist?

Shouldn't we, as a society, acknowledge and celebrate the sacrifices of millions of leaders and activists over the years that have contributed to women having better opportunities and an actual seat at the table?

Every now and then, I come across leaders - women and men, both, dismissing the need to ask for, and celebrate gender equality, simply because they believe it beats the purpose of the fight, itself.

And, frankly, I do not agree with this mindset. Not even a bit.

The fight for women's rights is probably as old as time, and it still rages on.

Especially in an inherently patriarchal society like ours, where even women struggle with internalised patriarchy, the fight for women's rights - from equality to reproductive rights, is fair, justified, and needs to be very loud.

Simply denying the presence of inequality based on the individual privileges a person enjoys is as short sighted as ignoring the bloodshed happening in Ukraine, simply because your city is not under siege. Thus, for me, and for feminists all across the globe - it is important to look beyond ourselves and acknowledge the long journey that our predecessors have had to take for us to enjoy the privileges we now do.

And, so, even with the long road ahead of us, the women's rights movement is one of the most inspiring and world changing human revolutions and celebrating it should be a matter of pride, and not controversy or ridicule.