May the power of women prevail on this day

The world will celebrate women on March 8: “International Women’s Day.”  Thank God for this blessed day. It is about time some people (men in particular) begin recognising the true and priceless worth of women. Women should be celebrated in every nook and cranny of the world each and every day. In today’s society women no longer get the respect and praise they deserve. If they are not degraded by men, they are degraded by other females. Women have been called the worst of names by both men and other women. From the beginning of time we have been referred to as the weaker sex. I’m not quite certain if this is the reason most men treat women in the way they do. Consider the unspeakable names by which they refer to us.

It is high time that women stand up for themselves and let it be known that we will not tolerate  stupidity and degrading remarks from anyone. The theme for International Women’s Day 2005 is “Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future.” If we start today in some small way, maybe in some years to come we will be able to achieve gender equality. There is something beautiful about every woman. But we need to first love and respect ourselves so that others would respect us. I asked myself: “As a woman what do I want for society?” The first thing that came to my head was “I want men to encourage women, I want men to stop degrading women and I want men to cherish and love women the way they are supposed to be loved.” If women could just see their self worth then they would realise just how invincible they are and then they would understand why it is so important that they fight back!

I salute you women who are up by 3 am, who must work two to three jobs because you have to make ends meet. I salute you who go through so much pain on a daily basis, not just physical pain but mental and emotional pain and those of you who have the courage and the strength to deal with such agony. I salute those, like myself, who are constantly bombarded with the question “so when you getting married?” And those who know what it is like to be independent and know that you do not need a man to survive. I salute the women at homes for battered women and children because you have had the courage and the strength to get help for yourself and your children. Most of all I salute those of you who live in fear and make great sacrifices just for your children. Women play an integral role in raising children and instilling in them proper morals and values.

I thank God for my mother’s role in my life. The future lies in the hands of women. This is why we all have to be responsible for our actions. Although we may be faced with struggles each day, I encourage each and every one of you no matter how old or how young to continue the struggle. I beg you to face the challenge and fight. I beg you to think of how great things will be when you get through it and you will, because God never gives us more than we can bear. I beg men to encourage women not to discourage them. I beg you to stop degrading women and to try a little bit of praise now and then, and I really pray that you start seeing us as worthwhile human beings.

I beg of you to remember that the future is in our hands and I urge you to bear in mind that women are the future. They have a really big job ahead of them and they need your assistance in helping them to cope. When you look at a woman, instead of the foul words that come out of your mouth, think about what she has been through, what she is going through and what type of day she’s having. Come on men, be a little more considerate towards women. When you ridicule women remember your grandmother, mother and sister and the struggles that they have been through. And also remember that you may one day have a daughter of your own. Life is a cycle, what goes around comes around and if it does not come back to you it will come back to your children. On that note, may each and every woman have a wonderful International Woman’s Day and may you realise your true self-worth. Woman power all the way!