What is it that makes a woman? Is it the gender assigned at birth? Is it the discrimination?

Is it the
salary differences or is it the social atrocities? I think it’s the will to rise above all this and still smile in
the face of life. The concept of the stronger gender is obviously fictitious, however there is a more
enduring gender, the females.

International women’s day is observed to celebrate women worldwide but it’s not just women that
are being celebrated, it’s the gradual demolishing of patriarchy that’s being celebrated, it’s the
struggle that’s being celebrated, it’s the success that’s being celebrated. The lady who wakes up at
5Am to prepare 4 lunch boxes is appreciated, the lady who wakes up at 5Am to run her business is
being appreciated, the lady who stays up till 5AM is being appreciated, the lady is appreciated. And
this appreciation and celebration is not demanded rather deserved. Everyone knows about the right
to vote, the right to education etc. but what about the right to have or possess rights. Women were
denied of the most basic right, that is, the right to possess rights. And yet it was expected that they
stay silent and obedient. The society objectified women in every way possible, the society capitalised
through women in every way possible, the society vilified women in every way possible, but women
reacted to this by glorifying themselves in every way possible.

With changing times, women have created more and better opportunities for themselves. However,
it must be kept in mind that opportunities are presented only to those who have prepared for them.
And the modern woman has been preparing since always to take over the world in a swoop.

International Women’s Day, commemorated on March 8th of every year, is earmarked to celebrate
womanhood, and recognise her achievements without regard to divisions - national, ethnic,
linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. It is a day to acknowledge and make people aware of
women’s rights and gender equality, parity, and call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
Celebrations of International Women’s Day has now become a national holiday in several nations.
However, it is still largely ignored in several countries, making it a day of protest as well as a day of
celebration.

Material things can be achieved and earned but what one cannot earn is confidence, it is built.
Confidence further leads to respect and it is well known that all respect roots from self-respect. This
means that until and unless women love themselves, respect themselves, appreciate themselves and
label themselves as worthy, the material accomplishments mean nothing. So, this women’s day 8 th
March 2021 lets pledge to be the best version of ourselves, lets pledge to encourage the women
around us to be the best version of themselves, lets pledge to keep in mind that kind doesn’t mean
weak and being a woman doesn’t mean being left behind.

With that note, I welcome our chief guest for today ___________________.