Yesterday was Women’s Day and people marked the day in different ways. Someone sent a cake to our office that is predominantly women. There were curated events for women while the Internet trended with messages and articles about women.

While celebrating a day dedicated to women is a good idea, should it not be that women feel special on all days?

When my father’s labrador passed away last year, the 4-year-old twin grandchildren were told that Zara had become a star in the sky. While my nephew, an inveterate dog lover, mourned it by giving special attention to his toy Dalmatian, my niece wondered if her grandmother had also become a star so many years ago. Then she was sad that my brother did not have a mummy to look after him even though he is a very hands-on father. She then declared that when she was older, she would be his mummy and look after him. The collective sweetness of their reaction filled some void in my grieving heart but also sharpened the difference in their reactions.

I was reminded of my cousin who, at 6 years of age, offered me the Russian doll her father had brought her. Why? Because at age 10, I was sad about the smaller size of my doll. Her consideration contrasted deeply with that of my brother, two years my junior, focused on destructing everything I owned! 

What is it that makes little girls take on caretaking naturally? It cannot always be the environment or conditioning because many families are careful not to impose gender stereotypes. And yet, we grow up seamlessly stepping up to responsibilities our mothers carried while doing much of what our fathers did. The working woman often carries the load of ‘running’ the household. God forbid if she is decisive and speaks her mind – qualities that should be desirable in any human are often viewed as brashness in women. Passion for a cause must be tempered and opinions delivered with softness and poise. I disagree. Sometimes it is important to be loud to be heard. Women need to be seen and heard.

We comprise almost half the world. Research showed that countries led by women, during the pandemic, had “systematically and significantly better” Covid-19 outcomes. Another study at UCLA that analyzed data for older patients hospitalized for urgent medical care, found that those with female physicians had a lower chance of dying in the hospital or being readmitted!

As an increasing number of women, old and young, unapologetically speak their minds and question the status quo, it fills my heart with joy. While there will still be ‘progressive’ nations that cannot accept a female leader, ours does. Let them be loud, let them be outspoken, let them be who they wish to become. When every day is a woman’s day, the world will be a better place.