International Women’s Day

Many ‘black’ men wear ties.
And suits.

These days, I have seen (with pleasure) some white men wearing Fugu (Fugu is a traditional male attire which originated from Northern Ghana).
This is the way of the world, continuous learning – continuous improvement.

In Europe, International Women’s Day is taken a notch higher. In Italy as I have learnt, On International Women’s Day, men variously get Mimosa Blossoms for the women in their lives: Daughters, Wives, Mothers, Girlfriends (in no particular order.)

History of International Women’s Day
The day started as a Memorial Day for the 129 textile workers, all women, who were set on fire by the owner on 8th March 1908 in New York for protesting their substandard work conditions. The owner reportedly blocked all exits in the textile factory, put them inside and set it all on fire whiles all the women were inside the factory. No one survived.

Significance of International Women’s Day today
Today, we still commemorate International Women’s Day as a way of celebrating the contributions of women in politics, social and economics, and championing the causes of women especially advocating for equal rights for women, recognizing their dignity and their value in every area of society. Hear me, the contributions of women cannot be overstated. Women have been instrumental in making major contributions in pharmaceuticals, astronomy and astrophysics, in Physics and Chemistry, geology, household, cosmetics, Mathematics, Biology, Psychology, politics, economics, you name it.

If you’re a man and can hear me today, hold a space for a woman in your life, celebrate women more. Start with your Mother, then celebrate your Wife, Partner, Sisters, Colleagues. If you’re a man, stop over-competing with a woman. Appreciate the women in your team, celebrate their achievements, support and encourage them. You will be the better for it, I assure you.

If you’re a woman, don’t hate other women. Support women whom you can support. Women need not be their own enemies.

And to the woman listening here, don’t question your place in society, at your workplace, at home. DON’T belittle yourself or your contributions. You deserve to take space, your contribution is not minimal, it is not marginal, you deserve to take up space! You deserve to take all of your space.

Let no one tell you otherwise.