Random Rant: What does Women's Day accomplish?
Recently, in a music concert that I attended, a musician mentioned that she and her husband had musical conversations at home. On similar lines, I am conversing with a friend using blog posts :)
So my friend, Dragon Rider, a couple of day ago, wrote about Women's Day. You can read the post here: https://talesofincrediblycommon.blogspot.com/2020/03/international-womens-day.html
In summary, she was aghast when a few men questioned the need of a special day for women, citing that men's day should be celebrated equally but was not, and that was unfair. In response, she outlines the struggles of women starting from the early 20th century, and feels that we should be honored to be leading the lives that we are today, owing in no small parts to our ancestors' efforts. That we should have a day to recognise how far we have come seems like a natural and fair culmination of affairs to her. She concludes that Women's Day is very relevant and necessary, and a celebration of all the inspiring women she knows.
While her explanation seems sensible, I beg to differ. I think that Women's Day, or at least the current version of it, serves no purpose to women. If anything, it aggravates matters by sending the wrong messages. The only benefit that I see is economic, and the ones who reap those are not women, but capitalists and retail market owners. Let me elaborate a little.
In an article where a young student was asked about the importance of Woman's Day, the reply was: I think it's really important, because it allows us to recognise the women in our lives, especially our mothers, who we usually take for granted. At least this way, we can take a day out to pamper them and make them feel special.
I cannot adequately convey to you my horror at these words. This is everything that's wrong with the world today!!! If you think you are taking the women in your life for granted, tell me, what is it that you should be doing? Make them feel good for a day and relapse back to your old ways? How does that solve anything?
I see different versions of this very message floating around: in ad campaigns, in marketing, in interviews.
Take your wife shopping today. Make her feel special. 50% off.
Today, give a break to the women who always slog in the kitchen. Order in. 30% off.
Celebrate the women in your life by gifting her something today. Discounts on a wide range of products.
Several people, who take women for granted in their everyday life, who sit around without moving a single limb to help the women in their lives, see this as the perfect way to validate themselves and assuage their guilt. I've bought her a present. I've done my share and recognised her efforts. After all, what she's doing is her duty.
What purpose does this serve? Here we are, fighting for equality in so many arenas: starting from household chores, child care and finances all the way to education, career, decision making and equal representation. And look at the irony: there are campaigns telling the world that they should recognise women's efforts, but just for one day. You heard that right, just one out of 365!
Have you heard a single ad which talks about helping women, but everyday? An ad that tells you to help her with the cooking everyday, instead of ordering in just on women's day? A campaign that tells you to thank and celebrate the women in your life every day? I, for one, haven't. Educate me if you have, and even if there are a few like this, they sadly become statistically insignificant in the vast majority.
And now, you might tell me, but there is a good part to it. There are various educational and career events that are held in honour of women on this day, and surely they promote women's well-being and create awareness. Be that as it may, why do you have to wait for a day to do that? Shouldn't people and organisations be doing that anyway throughout the year? Are they waiting for a reason, an excuse? If so, are they acting out of genuine intentions at all? Or is it yet another economic ploy to capitalise on the buzz associated with this day?
The last point that I have: Sure, we have come a long way from having no rights to vote. But we have an even longer way to go. Sometimes, if you look at the current state we are in, all the atrocities and struggles that women face, I wonder what we are celebrating. It feels like hypocrisy. :(
My take on Women's Day: The current version of Women's Day serves a very limited purpose, if anything at all. It is more a mockery, and I do not see the point of it. If you want to respect and celebrate the women in your life, treat them well and shoulder their responsibility and work equally, instead of resorting to trite ephemeral gestures.
If you have anything, anything at all, that you think would be of benefit to women, do not wait for the excuse of a designated day. Do it now, and do it regularly and consistently. Rome was not built in a day, and neither are women going to be empowered by doing something one day a year. We need to focus on long term initiatives and activities, and those need to happen persistently.
I, as a woman, sneer at what society offers me and my kind, by celebrating a day that is filled with nonsensical campaigning and meaningless gestures. What we ask and what we deserve is far more, and I refuse to accept or participate in a paltry day such as this!
So my friend, Dragon Rider, a couple of day ago, wrote about Women's Day. You can read the post here: https://talesofincrediblycommon.blogspot.com/2020/03/international-womens-day.html
In summary, she was aghast when a few men questioned the need of a special day for women, citing that men's day should be celebrated equally but was not, and that was unfair. In response, she outlines the struggles of women starting from the early 20th century, and feels that we should be honored to be leading the lives that we are today, owing in no small parts to our ancestors' efforts. That we should have a day to recognise how far we have come seems like a natural and fair culmination of affairs to her. She concludes that Women's Day is very relevant and necessary, and a celebration of all the inspiring women she knows.
While her explanation seems sensible, I beg to differ. I think that Women's Day, or at least the current version of it, serves no purpose to women. If anything, it aggravates matters by sending the wrong messages. The only benefit that I see is economic, and the ones who reap those are not women, but capitalists and retail market owners. Let me elaborate a little.
In an article where a young student was asked about the importance of Woman's Day, the reply was: I think it's really important, because it allows us to recognise the women in our lives, especially our mothers, who we usually take for granted. At least this way, we can take a day out to pamper them and make them feel special.
I cannot adequately convey to you my horror at these words. This is everything that's wrong with the world today!!! If you think you are taking the women in your life for granted, tell me, what is it that you should be doing? Make them feel good for a day and relapse back to your old ways? How does that solve anything?
I see different versions of this very message floating around: in ad campaigns, in marketing, in interviews.
Take your wife shopping today. Make her feel special. 50% off.
Today, give a break to the women who always slog in the kitchen. Order in. 30% off.
Celebrate the women in your life by gifting her something today. Discounts on a wide range of products.
Several people, who take women for granted in their everyday life, who sit around without moving a single limb to help the women in their lives, see this as the perfect way to validate themselves and assuage their guilt. I've bought her a present. I've done my share and recognised her efforts. After all, what she's doing is her duty.
What purpose does this serve? Here we are, fighting for equality in so many arenas: starting from household chores, child care and finances all the way to education, career, decision making and equal representation. And look at the irony: there are campaigns telling the world that they should recognise women's efforts, but just for one day. You heard that right, just one out of 365!
Have you heard a single ad which talks about helping women, but everyday? An ad that tells you to help her with the cooking everyday, instead of ordering in just on women's day? A campaign that tells you to thank and celebrate the women in your life every day? I, for one, haven't. Educate me if you have, and even if there are a few like this, they sadly become statistically insignificant in the vast majority.
And now, you might tell me, but there is a good part to it. There are various educational and career events that are held in honour of women on this day, and surely they promote women's well-being and create awareness. Be that as it may, why do you have to wait for a day to do that? Shouldn't people and organisations be doing that anyway throughout the year? Are they waiting for a reason, an excuse? If so, are they acting out of genuine intentions at all? Or is it yet another economic ploy to capitalise on the buzz associated with this day?
The last point that I have: Sure, we have come a long way from having no rights to vote. But we have an even longer way to go. Sometimes, if you look at the current state we are in, all the atrocities and struggles that women face, I wonder what we are celebrating. It feels like hypocrisy. :(
My take on Women's Day: The current version of Women's Day serves a very limited purpose, if anything at all. It is more a mockery, and I do not see the point of it. If you want to respect and celebrate the women in your life, treat them well and shoulder their responsibility and work equally, instead of resorting to trite ephemeral gestures.
If you have anything, anything at all, that you think would be of benefit to women, do not wait for the excuse of a designated day. Do it now, and do it regularly and consistently. Rome was not built in a day, and neither are women going to be empowered by doing something one day a year. We need to focus on long term initiatives and activities, and those need to happen persistently.
I, as a woman, sneer at what society offers me and my kind, by celebrating a day that is filled with nonsensical campaigning and meaningless gestures. What we ask and what we deserve is far more, and I refuse to accept or participate in a paltry day such as this!
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