Editorial: An empty, annual ritual

Commemorating the accomplishments of a select few on Women's Day doesn't really do much to contribute to the elimination of a deeply rooted, toxic patriarchal culture in our society

In the calendar of global events, International Women’s Day evokes a picture of paradox that very few occasions can match; it punctures the celebratory façade in a way that other commemorations can’t rival. It’s an annual ritual that is full of grim ironies: glories of a few individual achievers are feted, but the voices of the victims of gender violence and patriarchal oppression remain unheard, and their injustices go unaddressed. In societies where gender remains a significant axis of inequality, such annual events represent empty tokenism and a performative show. Neither rhetorical slogans nor showering gifts on women would make this a special day. Commemorating the accomplishments of a select few doesn’t really do much to contribute to the elimination of a deeply rooted, toxic patriarchal culture. Over the years, International Women’s Day has become all about corporate hashtags, Archie Cards, and discount sales with some motivational quotes thrown in. Such trivialisation is all the more worrying in the Indian context, given the plight of women. Initiated by the United Nations in 1977 and rooted in the 20th-century labour movements, Women’s Day must, ideally, serve as an occasion for an honest reflection on the status of women in society and the challenges that impede their growth and empowerment. This day is a stark reminder that gender equality is still a work in slow progress. Day in and day out, women struggle to navigate a world run by men’s rules, one that remains hostile to their independence, education and empowerment.

The existential challenges are further burdened by caste, class and poverty barriers. The challenges range from gender-based violence, economic disparities, and limited access to education and healthcare. Catchy slogans like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ may have helped in promoting public awareness about the girl child education, but the ground realities pertaining to women’s education, safety, security and equal opportunities at workplaces are far from encouraging. The atrocities against women are on the rise, while the conviction rate continues to be poor. A woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or family member, and cases of conflict-related sexual violence have increased by 50% since 2022. At 21%, India has one of the lowest female participation rates in the workforce across the world. It is less than half the global average. No matter which cluster of countries one compares with — high income or low, highly indebted or least developed — India comes off worse. Women generally earn less than men for comparable work in many sectors. They are underrepresented in senior corporate leadership and STEM fields. According to a survey by the Pew Research Centre, for example, more than half of Indians believe that men have a greater right to available jobs than women. While women continue to remain on the margins of power, their assertion in political spaces is a growing one.

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