Hemashri reflects on International Women’s Day and ponders whether, with women against women, such a day is necessary. This is an exclusive for Different Truths.

These days, I really love snails – they seem unworried and unhurried, yet they keep moving with focus and without a trace of stress.

For me, every day is International Women’s Day, not just March 8.

I celebrate myself with self-love by dressing up and keeping myself and people around me joyful, for I believe the happiness we radiate brings it back to us. Some days of my life were very cloudy, but I tried to keep it to myself because I wanted to laugh with the world and cry alone. Still, there were days I failed to do it that way. Earlier, I was harsh on myself, but now I think it is just okay, for I am just another ordinary human.

Every day, I try to accept my defeats, losses, wins, accomplishments, and everything without being judgemental. I tell myself, ‘Ok, so far so good.’ I am trying to grow from “Why me?” to “Okay, it’s me.”

Every day, I try to be a bit better in whichever way possible. This day or that day – basically, each day is so very precious, as we do not know what the future may bring or take away from us. Yet with hope in my heart and faith deep within, I try to practice positive affirmations that everything will be just fine for everyone.

After International Women’s Day, I would like to make a humble appeal to my dear friends: please consider why we need these days—Women’s Day, Father’s Day, and Daughter’s Day.

Maybe it’s because we are not giving them enough love.

A few days after this day, I look within myself to ask, “Have I been kind, loving, supportive, motivating, and considerate to the women in my life and those that I meet at work or elsewhere? How many women can I count as my support system with whom I feel a deeper connection?”

Women, it is all about women. We are what we are, and if we wish and want, the world can change, and there shall no longer be just one Women’s Day in a year.

Just watch out around the workplace. Who speaks ill of women or creates all kinds of obstacles? In families, who treats a woman rudely? We often use the word ‘patriarchy’ as the sole reason for the marginalisation of women.

In families, when a beautiful young girl may be yet to meet the right match, who torments her by speaking rubbish?

If a married woman has not yet delivered a baby for whatever reason, who bothers her by seeking the ‘good news’ and makes her feel that life is futile and meaningless without a child?

Just after a devastating loss, who imposes cruel, outdated rituals on a grieving woman?

If a woman wants to pursue a career or wants to opt for a challenging assignment, who says she is selfish?

If the first child is a baby girl, who demands to complete the family by having a son at the earliest? So funny!

It is often women who are at odds with each other.

Can patriarchy operate without the active participation of women?

It is time to demystify ‘patriarchy’ and change the rules of the game.

Only women can.

Please think about it.

I support women. Do you?

When we make it a habit to support one another, we create a stronger community. ‘Women’s Reservation Bill’, ‘Women’s Day’, etc., are all about women. Perhaps ‘only women’ might become history if it’s all about humans.

I am waiting for the dawn…

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Hemashri Hazarika

Hemashri Hazarika is an Officer of the Assam Civil Service since 1997. Her research on Assam Civil Service brought reforms in 2015. A first-class Postgraduate in Economics from Gauhati University, she was awarded JRF/NET by UGC in 1997. Her experience as a bureaucrat has sensitised her to human sufferings. A solutionist by passion, she takes an active interest in issues related to Governance, Development, Women, Children, etc. Reading, Writing, Speaking and Painting are her hobbies.