New Delhi: International Women's Day (IWD), which falls on March 8 every year, is an international celebration focused on commemorating the success of women and calling for gender equality.
Theme In 2025
In 2025, the theme will be "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," highlighting the need for inclusion and immediate action to break down systemic barriers that hold back progress for women and girls globally.
Beijing Declaration
Marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, the day highlights achievements, ongoing challenges, and the need for action in areas like education, economic inclusion, and gender justice to create a more equitable world.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) is a global policy document that was adopted in 1995 to promote gender equality and women's rights. It's considered a key document in the international community's efforts to achieve gender equality.
The Significance Of 2025
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic agenda endorsed in 1995 by 189 governments to promote women's rights worldwide. Thirty years on, despite remarkable gains, issues like gender-based violence, economic disparities, and lack of political representation remain.
International Women's Day
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IWD is a platform to:
1. Honour women's achievements in social, economic, cultural, and political life.
2. Fight for gender equality in every area of life.
3. Bring to light ongoing inequalities, such as the pay gap, underrepresentation in positions of power, and access to education.
4. The colours used to represent IWD—purple (justice), green (hope), and white (purity)—represent the long struggle for women's suffrage and equality.
Women's Rights In India
In India, women have been granted significant rights under the Constitution and various laws, though challenges persist. Key rights include:
1. Equality and Non-Discrimination: The Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination by the State.
2. Equal Pay for Equal Work: The Constitution ensures equal pay for equal work, and this is reinforced by the Equal Remuneration Act.
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3. Special Provisions: The State can make special provisions for women and children.
4. Protection from Violence: Laws protect women from sexual harassment and violence.
5. Right to Dignity and Decency: Laws protect women from indecent representation.
6. Right against Domestic volence: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act provides legal protection to women against domestic violence.
7. Maternity Benefits: The Maternity Benefit Act provides maternity leave and benefits to working women.
8. Challenges and Progress: In spite of these legal safeguards, issues persist, such as poor political representation and ongoing gender-based violence.
The Women's Reservation Bill proposes to reserve seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women, but it has not yet been enacted.
