ECHOES: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

BALANCE FOR BETTER

Happy International Women’s Day! This IWD, ‘We The Women’ is participating in #BalanceforBetter Campaign, so we invited women all around to put forth their opinion and express their feelings about the importance of the day and relevance of the theme. We are thrilled to share with you what these amazing ladies wrote to us. Read their thoughts on to your right.

Parinka Sharma

We always ask for change. But what kind of change do we need in our society? We always ask for equality, empowerment or protection of women’s rights but do we ever think why there is need for all this?
Well, I think we need to change the mindset. Our perception needs to change regarding role and rights of women and the balance we need. We, the women are not weak. We are much stronger that we are presumed to be; after all we are the life bearers. So, if we are struggling with the imbalance it’s because of the mindset that prefers men over women in all aspects. Women are expected to sacrifice and adjust to maintain hypocritical (im)balance in family and society.
We have synchronised our whole society in dimensions where we have specific gender roles. Why is that so? I was going through a class 2nd text book, in which I realised that pictures had not been changed for years; like a gardener is always a male and maid is always a female. These minor things get imprinted on the young minds. That’s where the disparity blooms.
#BALANCE FOR BETTER can be only possible-
* When elders will teach their children that no job is gender specific.
* When people will ask a girl about her ambition and not her cooking skills.
* When parents would proudly boast about their daughters being independent.
* When IZZAT (honour) is not only a daughter’s responsibility.
* When the needle of the clock would not decide the character of a girl.
* When parents would feel blessed to have daughters.
* When there will be no dowry.
All these changes will come one day which is much awaited. But for this, we need to change our vision and perspective. I hope a day will come when we need not to celebrate women's day because we will have what we want now.

Malvika Kalra
Discrimination on the basis of gender, race, caste, creed, colour or even species is unfair and unjust. Let us erase divides because better the balance, better the world will be.

Shweta Aggarwal
Bliss lies in balance. Balance lies in something you create, not something you seek and find. Balance your passions, not your time. Balance is must for you. A gender balanced world is what we need to create and for that we need to make conscious efforts and take effective measures.

Aarushi Thakur Rana
When you light a candle, it cast a shadow. Similarly, when you speak up about gender equality, you will most likely be criticized and there will be a lot of hurdles; don’t let that stop you. Focus on the light and keep moving forward. Women have a long way to go but let’s celebrate how far we have come. Personally, I have never seen more women pursuing the art field than now and it gives me immense pleasure that they are no more contributing from backseat but have taken full control on sharing ideas, writing scripts, direction and management. I have witnessed an evolution in perceptions, around women in theatre. No longer are women considered inferior or stigmatized; instead young women, like myself are judged only by merit and given the same respect that a male director or writer gets. This is a positive change towards a world with equal rights; it is just a small step towards a bigger goal and a more balanced world.

Rumpy Madaan
Life is about balancing between two poles and balance to me does not mean neutrality. It means focusing on what is the need of the hour with full dedication. One should keep shifting roles to the side that needs the most to keep the see-saw of life going.

Dr. Aishwarya Wazir
There has been a myth that women are biologically incapable to carry out certain tasks, say heavy and demanding work. Today's women have proven themselves in every field of life. Still there is a social taboo if women do unconventional work or they have unconventional jobs. People find it difficult to digest. In our society there is a huge imbalance between male and female, which is so deep rooted in our society that it is a very big issue for women to come out of their houses and work.
Today we have female doctors, engineers, and politicians, women in uniform be it Air force, Army, Navy, Police department and so on; any profession which was previously believed to be exclusive to men. We have a lot of examples of women who have fought social stigma and proven themselves to be better than men in the jobs said to be the most unsuitable for women. Our present Defense Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, boxing gold medalist Mary Kom, Former and first IPS officer Kiran Bedi, exemplifies how women can establish and thrive in careers which are believed that only men can. These women have proven that they could be better than men and are not lesser than men.
The neglect to the female child starts from a very early age. It starts with her birth and ends on her death. Today if you see a working woman, believe that she is not only doing her work at the office but is also a housekeeper and a mother who has to look after her children yet she is totally professional at the work place. This is why we not only need to establish gender balance in this world but within us as well.

Preeti Choudhary
Let’s take it for the blossoming of feminine. It is critical that ladies who have achieved specific strata of society, ladies who can have any kind of effect, take this upon themselves: don't battle for ladies' rights, simply perceive how to make superior humankind. Making people likened to two unique species isn't great. We should almost certainly observe an individual as a person.
At the present time, numerous ladies are discovering access simply because they have turned out to be exceptionally manly, and that isn't useful for whatever is left of womanhood. On the off chance that all ladies on the planet, if every single individual on the planet need to live well, it is vital that these sexual orientation refinements are not exaggerated. So equity is never being referred to, yet similarity is a dumb activity. Rather than attempting to fit a lady into a manly world, it is time we structure society and the world so that there is an equivalent job. Instead of creating a balance first we need to recognize their efforts, their struggle which will ultimately boost up their spirit.
So, apart from running a wave of womanhood or balancing the world, let's make a shift to celebrate the power of women, whatever they are doing, whatever they are a achieving and most importantly their existence. "Future Is Female"

Khushboo Mattoo
Just like unstable electrons jump from one atom to another in search of stability, basically creating the whole physics and chemistry of this world, women, too should find stability in their lives. They need a gender balanced world which has balanced approach towards both sexes and all genders.
Stability does not mean just physical, it has to be a mentally healthy situation where women do not succumb to pressures destroying their well being and peace of mind. So if depression hits you or you feel you are alone, talk it out. Sharing helps; Try it.
Also balance logic with compassion and see that you will go places. Sometimes putting logic before emotions can help you see through and same is true for vice versa. Because the more stable we are, the better stability the children will have, the world will be more stable than ever.


Akanksha Singh
A famous quote says, "One is not born but rather becomes a woman" which indicates that society has prejudiced the role of a woman where she is supposed to get herself mould in that way, so that she could fit into the definition of 'woman'.
When India's population is examined as a whole, women are at a disadvantage in several crucial ways. Here, such attitudes and prejudices which disparaging and demeaning women, have existed for generations. Although the constitution grants men and women equal rights, gender disparity persists. So, there is immediate and essential need of equality of gender roles which means the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender. This would lead to "balance for better".
Education can play a crucial role in building and promoting this balance. Being a student, I would emphasize on the role of education in filling these gender gaps. In our formative years in school we all have studied the 'concept of opposites'. For example, black is to white. Similarly, night is to day and woman is to man. But the whole concept of opposites is misleading. All these things have their significant roles. These phenomenon and things are not opposites but 'complementary'. These are better halves which together complete the unique processes. There is need of enlightening the students (society builders) of the 'concept of complementary' for 'balance for better'.

Sars Bharti
Can you imagine a world without women? Well, even The Vedas emphasize and highly values the existence of women and their balanced co-existence with their counterparts, men. A nation cannot reach the summit of prosperity until its women are not empowered and treated equally as men. The future lies in the present of women and it isn't a lot to ask to be treated equally, with equal resources and opportunities and respect. Balance must prevail. Happy International Women's Day to all.


Amar Chauhan
It is so acceptable to have lesser women in workplace that we applaud even when they hardly make thirty percent of the staff. It is unfortunate. The challenges one faces in professional life being a women are countless. Then in such scenario we are encouraged to compete against each other. While it is all in good sport among men, it is tagged catfight among women. Competition could be healthy too and we can support each other while going up the ladder instead of hindering each other's growth. For gender balanced environment women needs to introspect and bring changes in their mindset and conduct as much as men do.

Malvi Gupta
Balance for better is not just about getting a balanced representation and treatment all around but also about changing our perspective as women. Often, we as women unconsciously forget to take ourselves as equal to men. Therefore while there is need to create a gender balanced society; women must also balance their attitude, for themselves and women around them.

Geetika Kohli
Balance is central to spirituality. A woman is an embodiment of this force in nature that performs the balancing act for humanity. Whether in birthing or in disseminating knowledge and experience, or in clearing and organising spaces, a woman adds and subtracts from the flow, rendering it meaningful and smooth.
When a woman loses her innate balance, the flow succumbs to the chaos within her. Talking of the present times, wherein a woman’s experience is on the one hand enriched by opportunity, and on the other, annulled by rising expectations, it is imperative that she introspects, and permits her essence to speak to her. When she does not find meaning in what she does, she fails to create a sense of it for others too.
Motherhood, career, relationships, her core, must honour a woman’s authentic self in order that they may satisfy humanity at large. While a woman needs to meditate about it, the society must embrace her learnings; give her the ear, the shoulder she needs. Happy Women’s Day, Men and Women!

Smiley Tanuja Chahar
Balance has been an instrument of carrying out the conditional aspects of life in a way that it suffices the entire outcome without affecting the inherent dynamics of the situation. Balance is not a luxury; it is a necessity that a human being has to imbibe into his or her life. Even the rule of nature has pre-empted this thought and has at every step of the ecosystem or the food chain has put the act of balancing at the forefront. The basic act of balancing is something that we all have inherited. It brings out an important aspect of life which needs to be paid proper attention because any work without proper Balance of the situation will only result in an undesired result. Keeping that in mind we cannot evolve as humans if the balance among its constituting genders does not prevails.

Sumeen Narang
A balanced world is a better world; it's high time to do everything possible to help forge a gender balanced world.
Empowering Women in India is very necessary to bring gender equality. Men should understand that women are not only made to handle household chores or take responsibility of family. Both, women as well as men should identify their strengths and abilities and create a balance in society. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive. We need to teach the next generation about equality. Being treated equally would mean that they are given the same opportunities, that they will never know the term Gender pay gap and that they never feel they have to fit a 'certain mould' because of their gender, to give some idea. It's time to push for balance- balance in life, balance in work, balance in family, balance in society and balance in freedom!

Omiara and Binish
Life is about balance; balance is the key to life. Gender Balance in this world is the key to harmony, peace and prosperity of this world. (Binish)
Being an established woman is all about striking a balance in roles, a balance within and outside. While we are seeking gender balance, we should be balanced in our perspective of ourselves as well. (Omaira)

Garima Dixit Karki
Being a mother of a lovely daughter, a dream of gender balanced world is important for me. I don't want her to face gender gap. My parents never differentiated in me and my brother's upbringing. This journey starts at home. But sometimes I faced gender challenges when I moved and faced outside world, which I would never want to happen with my daughter. We must raise our kids without any gender differentiations. It's our responsibility to make this cause happen whether one is men or woman, whether it is a business scenario or society. It's high time for better balance.

Anna Thakur
Balancing the sanity amidst the chaotic rebuttals of non competence across the globe!
It isn’t just about acing the trophy look, rather an imperceptible urge to accomplish for oneself. Elevating one’s personality to an inconspicuous level of mastery-be it in the academics or sports, fashion or defense. You don’t owe your dreams to anyone’s consent but yourself; forget society because you got it Ladies.

Nayeema Ahmed Mahjoor
Gender balancing is not something that can't be achieved. Yes, it needs seriousness and determination of political and economic institutions, which so far have failed. The reason is all these institutions are in the grip of men and forbidden for women. Indian political leadership is still finding it difficult to pass 33 percent reservation bill, not to talk of 50 percent in political institutions which tells lot about the attitude of men who are our leaders and yet reluctant to accept women equal, decision maker or nation builder.
Our economic institutions are run by 97 percent men and there is a minuscule of women representation, that too in lower rung of institution, still a dream for women of high caliber to get executive jobs.
Our social institutions have a women presence which is limited to traditional roles and restricted to bigger or decision making roles. If women would have got representation in legal and policy making institutions, we wouldn't see rape happening every seven minutes or harassment of women every second in India. This is our reality outside home.
How much powerful and stronger we are in our family is another bitter reality which we all try to put beneath the carpet because of being brought up in patriarchal society we have been taught not to reveal home realities to outsiders. We face huge discrimination and harassment inside our homes and most of the women do not get chance to speak about their own health issues, marriage or inheritance choices.
The day we get heard in family as well as full representation in political and economic institutions, among others, we will rejoice in saying that international women's day have been successful in balancing the gender imbalance in the world.
And, lastly when men start thinking of women not a soft target for any harm in a conflict zone like Kashmir, half of the war would be over by winning the hearts of these women. Alas, the women of Kashmir is not asking gender balance today, she is asking for her dignity and safety of life which has become the cheapest commodity for gun trotting men in war zone.

Sunita Pandit
Balance is the essence of life. Imagine a two wheeler without a wheel or for that matter a four wheeler without those. Would it be functional? Balance is must to stay happy and sustain growth. Similarly, equality amongst all humans, males and females must be established and should be appreciated because they are like wheels for this world and we would not move forward if any of them is deflated.

Mallika Kapoor
Universally, everything seeks equilibrium or balanced state for stability. Why not humanity? While for some gender balance might be phony because they might have never been on receiving end of discrimination, for those who have faced disparities and suffered even the slightest because of gender imbalance knows how important it is to achieve it. Gender balance is not a desire but a necessity. Generations to come who would be lot more woke than us shouldn't look back at us and find this time a bad time to be a woman like we do when we think of women's condition in past century. They must see this time as the time when it all changed; for better.


Akriti Jamwal
There’s not much to add to what has already been mentioned above. It is obvious that creating a gender balanced world seems impossible, with limping female ratio and patriarchy imbedded as deep as in our DNA. But it is not. It actually starts with clearing our conscience of simple matters. Most of the times we, the women find ourselves justifying the discrimination we are subjected to; don’t we?
“I’d quit my job because it was more important to raise the children properly; they need a mother.” “I cancelled a business trip because someone had to stay back to take care of the parents or parents-in-law.”
I am not saying that it isn’t important to raise children or take care of family; just pointing out that men can do that as well and career is as important for women as it is for men.
There can be a balance. It is as simple as this, both girl and boy needs to learn to cook or do laundry, not to take-care the “Other family” but to be self reliant. If both the men and women of family earns, both should contribute in the chores at home. Although it is hard to see through the lenses of prejudice we are brought up with but balance for better is as much for men as it is for women, for even they have been burdened by responsibilities they can share with women. That would be a first step to be an awakened person. Only then it wouldn’t matter if the person you are voting for is a man or woman, only their potential, character and determination to serve would be considered. Same goes for other things. It wouldn’t matter if your boss is a female and one wouldn’t pass a snarky sexist remark behind her back.

The 2019 #BalanceforBetter campaign runs all year long; it doesn't end on International Women's Day. So you can still send us your thoughts and opinions at [email protected]