March 08, 2007

Text by Shaha Jamshed, photos by A. Kamran

 

The purpose of Women’s Day is to recognise the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedom requires not only the development of women and acknowledgement of their contribution, but more than anything else, a woman’s own understanding and respect for the power and skills that God has blessed her with.

Before any man starts respecting and appreciating a woman’s contribution, a son will have to appreciate and help a mother. The mother will also have to insist and ensure that he does the same for his wife. The wife will have to ensure respect and her own status in the house along with her daughter’s.

I work in a school with many other women –– all are professional. I have realised that we do not need to hold seminars, conferences and arrange walks. We need to convince and train ourselves. We, the mothers, will have to support daughters, daughters-in-law and train our sons. We, the wives, will have to educate and strengthen ourselves and our children. We, as friends, will have to support and stand by our colleagues, and as housewives we need to look for avenues where our skills can be utilised professionally.

We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, but this is not a victory. These are realities and necessities, just as they are for men, and it pains one to see women presenting these statistics as achievements. They are not –– they are simply steps in the right direction. One does not want to see just one day as a tribute to women when all through the ages it is women who have worked, educated and looked after those who have changed the world. All days belong to me, some as a mother, some as a wife, some as a colleague and worker –– all as a woman.

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