International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration that transcends mere dates on the calendar. On this luminous canvas of March 8, we brush strokes of reverence, resilience, and revolution. It’s a day when the world tilts its axis toward the remarkable tapestry of womankind.
IWD isn’t just about bouquets and platitudes – it’s a symphony of voices echoing across continents. This day unfurls like a vintage map, tracing the contours of progress. It’s a call to arms—a reminder that our battles are shared. We stand shoulder to shoulder, weaving a tapestried bridge across generations. We honor the unsung heroines, the ones who whispered courage into the night, who cradled dreams in calloused palms.
So, let’s raise our voices. Let’s clink glasses. Let’s honor the pioneers and the trailblazers, the ones who dared to dream beyond the confines of convention.
This year, we thought of celebrating the occasion with some of the leading women voices, who marked their way through hardships; Women who adorn their tiara in the ‘man’s world’; Women who celebrate their roots and unwavering courage; Women who pick themselves up even in the murkiest time.
Our first spokesperson is – Piali Dasgupta, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities
And the second one is – Sujala Martis Director, Consumer Marketing – Platinum Guild International (PGI), India
- Growing up, what advice did you receive from your parents that you remember and is still relevant –
Piali: To work really hard because there is no short cut to success, unfortunately. The other advice was to “cut your coat according to your cloth.” To live within our means, and maintain a lifestyle that we could sustain, as opposed to overspending to keep up with the Jones’.
- Today’s issues that cringe your heart –
Piali: In my 17+ years of corporate life, I have often noticed that many people in positions of power don’t really deserve to be there both from a competency, skillsets as well as an impact point of view. Some people are just plain lucky, and others indulge in filthy politics and manipulation to get to the top and often remain there. This is hugely detrimental to businesses in the long run and to teams that don’t go very far despite utmost dedication and hard work.
Sujala: We have made great strides socially and I want to believe that we’re on this path to progress, but the news is a constant reminder that there is indeed a long way to go. I don’t think it’s possible to name just one challenge, it’s an extremely potent combination of issues from women’s safety to systemic violence to unequal access of opportunity all forming a web of interconnected obstacles. Sexual harassment and violence persist, fuelled by societal tolerance, the lack of legal recourse, and the difficulty of reporting. Girls face educational barriers, and women struggle for financial independence. At a base level bodily autonomy remains threatened even today. The challenges women face stem from the power imbalances society poses injecting vulnerability and fragility into the lives of many women.
- Working as a woman for me in India is –
Piali: Hard, exhausting and demanding. Women work a lot harder, get paid a lot lesser, in most cases and are constantly trying to over deliver just to keep their jobs. Assertive, competent and outspoken women at work are mostly looked at as a threat, and they do have it the hardest.
Sujala: It’s heartening to witness the shift – more women are stepping into roles of influence and authority. On a personal note, I realise I have been lucky, I have been able to succeed in my journey because I had strong allies and a great support system that helped me overcome challenges that came my way. But the stark facts hit home sometimes, the 2022-23 Periodic Labour Force Survey revealed that just 37% of the country’s women above 15 years of age are either working or seeking or are available for work, compared with 78.5% for males. There are many explicit and implicit challenges a woman faces in the workplace. At the root of it, is perhaps a lack of confidence, self-doubt that results in an imposter syndrome at the workplace. Even gender bias that can manifest in many ways from restricting access at the outset, to the glass ceiling, to typecasting and even labelling. It’s a long journey of perseverance and resilience, where every small victory can bring us closer to breaking down barriers and redefining the professional landscape for women.
- What advice/suggestion would you give to the little self and the young girls out there?
Piali: Look out for yourself first; stand up for yourself (because no one else will) and never compromise on self-respect.
Happy International Women’s Day! 🌹👑🌎
