Friday 14 March 2014

What a Day!!! International Women's Day.




 I got up in morning with a thought to finish all the pending tasks from whole week as it is a weekend today on 8th March , 2014. I started my day with breakfast then did my laundry , cleaning and finally I sat down to prepare some assignments and quizzes and lecture for my students as I am working as a teacher in a local institute in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For some references I opened Google.com and came to know that it’s my day today. I mean it is the International Women’s Day.

I am a women in South Asia who came to know about something important going on around the World for my rights and betterment or anything else related to life only if I came across Google.com by chance.  

It really made me wonder as many other days are celebrated with great enthusiasm like Civil  Defense day was celebrated then we had fun on cultural day few months back. No one from my colleagues , friends , family wished or informed me or even no event was organized in my institute regarding this important day. In fact . it really made me sad. Then I Google more about the importance of the day and came to know that this day was celebrated by different countries having their own themes and objectives for the day throughout history since 1900s. In an international conference in Denmark , Socialist lady Luise Zietz from Germany raised the point for a unified observance of the day in August 1910. Hundreds of the women from seventeen countries agreed the proposed idea and emphasized to observe the day to give equal rights to women in every field.   In 1977 it was observed as a popular event when United Nation General Assembly announced March 8th as United Nation’s Day for Women and World Peace.

In some countries it is celebrated as Mother’s Day some take it as a Valentine’s Day to show , care , love and respect towards women who play a vital role in life as being mother , sister , wife etc.

Many International Organizations stand for rights of women in this male dominated society and claim for equal opportunities and rights for females in every field of life . Many women have gained respect internationally for their struggle to empower women politically   , educate them  and provide them with ; better health facilities to survive a long healthy life and  justice in their doorsteps.

There are many names from South Asia as well who struggled hard for recognition of the capabilities  of women in different fields . Like nowadays Malala Yousafzai is striving hard for the education of females in some remote areas of Pakistan and have gained respect from masses from around the Globe.

Apart for all the struggle from a small number of women around the world and the observance and celebrations , I just want to tell the world that many women living in South Asia or other poor countries of the world do not know about any such day or they are not aware of any one fighting for their equal rights. They are not even aware of their rights , they live a life in a miserable and pitiable condition and suffering more than yesterday.  They are dying every day because of lack of health facilities, they are beaten badly by male members for nothing , they are considered as useless part of family , having no right to speak or give their suggestion in any decision of their life , male do  not even bother to ask their will. 

Celebration or observance of holiday does  not mean anything for them as it cannot grant them good health or medicine, it cannot save them from domestic violence and oppression , it cannot give them strength to speak . This does not make any difference in their lives if any day is specifically observed for their rights and people cry for them.

In almost every country around the world many women come out of their houses rallying cross main roads in cities , programs are organized , seminars , symposiums with women enchanting slogans for their rights ; some stand for equal rights , some shout  against domestic violence , some raise voices to give equal opportunities in education and jobs . Every society cries for their own problems as many females demanding right to drive in country like Saudi Arabia . But none of such rallies can bring poor , uneducated women their basic rights of living , none of slogans can be heard by them. They have a lot of restrictions ; boundaries of religion , culture , customs that they can never cross, not even think about crossing as they know that a miserable death is waiting outside.

The main reason for their suffering is being uneducated . They do not know that the way in which they are treated by the male members of their family is a crime according to rules of their own countries. They take this treatment as their destiny and fulfill every demand as their duty , and they believe in continuously doing so as they have seen their mothers , grandmothers etc going through same situation doing the same.

Women make fifty percent of World’s population and in many developing countries women are even more than men but it is a sad aspect that they are not given fifty percent share in overall opportunities of the world . Poor countries can progress in every filed if they will empower , educate their women as they are poor as not utilizing half of their potential. Developing countries must try to decrease gap in society.  Many organizations are trying to help women to get equal opportunities  for job , education , health and trying to give them representation in politics.

Many countries are trying to support females ; changing their regulations to accommodate females also giving them support to be effective part of society. Here in Saudi Arabia the condition of females is changing every day. I personally believe that the females in KSA are blessed as they are protected by every possible way. They are given right to vote and have their Identity Cards . Government is giving better opportunity to females for education in every field and producing lot of job opportunities for them. Now females hold main positions in major sectors and companies of the country. 

Apart from little development in some parts still no one in the world even in advanced countries thinks about giving women a right for equal pay as well , for equal amount of work they are never considered eligible for equal amount of pay. Many women holding same degrees and skills  never get a chance to be equally paid as their male colleague. So women in suffering every where in the world but the suffering is more in developing countries than advanced.

Regardless of the ethnicity , customs , traditions or society or country there is no way that a rapid recovery will be made to end differences and issues.  But I personally believe when the women will come forward herself and raise  her voice against injustice  , there will be improvement in her condition with a quick healing.

A women like me having all the facilities like internet , television , news paper is that unaware just because she is busy with her home and work place , how came we can expect that women living in rural areas with not communication facilities , having no Television , newspaper can know about this all.

If someone really wants to benefit such women from poor areas , a large scale campaign must be launched in which not only women but also men volunteers must reach such women to help them , educate them , aware them and above all get poor women some resources so they can live a life of their own . Just rallies , slogans and one day holiday or celebration with lot of  discussion , debate  will not make any difference in their lives.

I wish that soon female will hold her right position in national development in many poor countries of the world by having more and better access to education .  I wish she will have a long happy and  healthy life. I wish she will play vital role in political decisions of  her country. 



I will be happy to know , how you have celebrated women's day?

45 comments:

  1. International Womens day is a good time to reflect on what has been accomplished and also on what remains to be done. Although the west has made great strides when compared to other areas there are still many areas of inequity. I enjoyed your post and wish you well. No society can reach its potential while half its citizens are not treated fairly

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    1. Hello Paul Graham
      Thank you for your time.
      Here in Saudi Arabia , now females are getting some rights to come up and to educate them and get jobs but still in rural areas ... the story is almost same like many developing countries of South Asia...

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  2. very nice article--as it reflects life of women that even don't know about their rights and surely will not be aware of any special international women day.

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  3. i comply with your views.women's status must grow as a whole. and that has to be addressed to in the present society. well said !!!!

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  4. Thank you amit for your time.....
    as having a south Asian background you will also be familiar with the critical condition of women living in rural areas. Women have to stand by themselves as no one else can help them.

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  5. So nice that you brought attention to this by your article. So much progress has been made, and yet we still have so far to go!

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    1. Women have achieved a lot in West now its turn of women in East to come forward and fight for their rights.
      Thank you so much Jacquie for your support.

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  6. I considered writing about International Women's Day but I am glad that I didn't because you did a much better job than I would have. How women are treated and what opportunities we have vary so much depending on where we live. At least we can encourage each other and people who work hard to make things better.

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    1. Thank you Beth for your time
      Surely the place where we are living and the society we are surviving matters a lot.... every person has a special situation as per society ...
      As you mentioned , best is we must support each other and try to raise our voice and standards ...
      By the way thank you as you liked , i am just trying and learning

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  7. Thanks for your tremendous insight into the unbalance in the world. In the western world we too easily forget the poverty and inequality that still exists in so many countries throughout the world. As you say, the fight for women's rights should be focused on so many essentials that women don't have accessibility to.

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    1. Thank you Trebor for your time.
      Yes in Western society , poverty or illiteracy is not a big issue but in east this is major cause of set back.

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  8. Your article is amazing Anna! Unfortunately in the Western society Women's Day has become so commercial in a lot of places that they forget why it was started, we need to get the word out so more women can be helped! Thank you for reminding us x

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    1. Thank you Theano for your time.
      The condition of women in rural areas of South Asia is pitiable but they need to educate themselves first.

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  9. A very powerful post Anna. It held me from the first word to the last. In this regard the world is very unbalanced and can only hope that we begin to rid the world of this and other prejudices. Thank you for writing this post.

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    1. I forgot to leave my name Anna...Tim

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    2. Hello Tim

      Yes you are right about that , world is imbalanced but it will continue like that.... but we have to change out existing situation by educating us...
      thank you for your time

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  10. It was a wonderful day in my part of the world too

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  11. hi andleeb; here in th states we already have a mother's day and a grandmother's day as well as valentine's day. So in my opinion women's day should really be about women's rights and empowerment. I hope next year more people around you will celebrate this day with you. take care, Max

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    1. Hello Max

      You know i did not know about grand mother day...
      It's really nice to know about that...
      I hope so , next year more females from Asia will be involved in events and it will be celebrated as a REAL Meaningful DAY
      thank you for your time.

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  12. The good thing is that with each passing year people are getting more concerned about women's rights, thanks to the awareness created by social media and newspapers etc. But still today the rural areas are far behind celebrating this day! Can we do something about that? If yes, then how?

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    1. Hello Tuhin
      Yes you are right about that ...
      but problem is that social media is making it's money and the core issue , objective with main character ( women) is still in dark.

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    2. Exactly! Even some of the NGOs I know, sanction projects to get government fund.After making some profit they deviate from the whole issue!

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  13. Thank you for bringing this information to the masses. Military people aren't aware and some don't even care about this. We need more blogs like this to go viral

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    1. Hi Jay

      Thank you for your kind words and time... Not only military men but many other are unaware and some are just ignoring the issues ....
      hope so the situation will improve with time.

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  14. Equality between the sexes unfortunately doesn't exist anywhere in the world. Sweden used to be at the forefront. But still women are paid much less than men for doing the same job. Used to tell my female Saudi friends that in my native country we have equality - but alas no. It looks like it will take about 200 years before that happens, even in Sweden.

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    1. Hi Catarina
      Thank you for your time.
      Yes the world is dominated by male , it's for sure they will not accept women better rather equal in any capacity to them...

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  15. A great article for women's awareness. We as women have come so far but still have a long way to go. Even in the West there are inequities. I feel that each sex should be judged as a person not whether they are a man or a woman.

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    1. Hello Arleen
      True , as a women we have to a long way to go .... but in our part it will take even longer.
      thank you for your time , I hope you will return again some day.

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  16. In the West, what we face is complacency. Young women today don't even understand that things they take for granted in the workplace and civil society had to be fought for by their mothers. In the United States, we can't even pass the "Equal Rights Amendment" to our constitution for the rights of women. Some people say that women don't need the protection of an Equal Rights Amendment. They forget it took an amendment to our federal constitution to attain the right for women to vote.

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    1. Hi Suzanne
      Thank you for a new information. But as a women , I think we need more protection , even more rights than men. But as it is male dominated society .... I wonder how much time it will take.
      It is true some sacrifice and some enjoy the fruits without pay any heed to the hardships faced during struggle.

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  17. you did a good job

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    1. Thank you.
      It would have been nice if I could know your name.

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  18. This is an interesting post on an important issue. I am interested to know more about your experience teaching in Saudi Arabia. I have had the opportunity to teach Saudi students in Fort Lauderdale. During that time, I was able to learn a great deal about their culture. I really enjoyed it. I often get offers to teach in Saudi Arabia. When you have time, could you tell me more about your experience as a female teacher in KSA?

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    1. Hello Dana

      Thank you for your time.... I am teaching in a private university in Saudi Arabia , where I have many colleagues form English department who are native speakers , if you want to join again its really easy (with much more attractive package than before ) , then you will see there is remarkable difference from before.... female are taking part in each field and they are ambitious.
      I am basically teaching them Mathematics , with which they are really struggling ... STILL :)
      If you need to know anything specific you can send me an email I will let you know about details.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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  19. Wow! This is very interesting! I just had a report about feminism last March 8, 2014, which very timely to Int'l women's day.. :) Amazing!

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  20. I so applaud you for bringing this to forefront. Women's issues, sadly, still remain a large topic in so many cultures. It boggles the mind why some have to fight to gain what we so take for granted in many countries.

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    1. Hello Susan

      The problem is also this that many women around the world do not know about the issues faced by women in developing countries.
      There is a BIG communication gap between west and east in this context. When there are meetings on official levels they have many more issues to resolve and the basic issues remain unnoticed.

      Thank you for your time.

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    2. An interesting perspective as always, Andleeb. Your compassion shines through but I would encourage you that in some ways there is progress though never as quick as we might like

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    3. Thank you Paul Graham

      Yes you are right about that.... Some one have to take initiative so the fruits will be enjoyed by our next generations....

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  21. Happy womens day to you my friend!

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    1. Thank you Marco... and you are first one who have wished me.. Thank you :)

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