Observation of International Women’s Day

8^th March 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International women’s day has been observed on 8^th March each year since the early 1900. IWD is devoted to celebrating the achievement of women and seeking gender equality. 

It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

This year theme for IWD 2024 is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. This theme emphasises the critical role of investing in women’s education, healthcare, economic empowerment and leadership development to accelerate progress towards gender equality.

IRDSO also celebrated the observation of International Women’s Day on 8^th March 2024 by organising a small gathering of women of Tekcham Khongnang Ani Karak and Tekcham Laibung Leikai.

A team of 7 staffs of IRDSO organised a small gathering at Tekcham khongnang Ani Karak.  A total of 35 participants took part in the gathering.

Rebeka Laishram and lamabam Sarju, Program Coordinators, CGBV starts the program with introduction to IWD and this year theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. Manipuri women’s in the socio economic and cultural life of Manipur is significant. Women dominate the markets in the rural and urban areas. Their unique role in the market are known by their presence in trade and commerce in every market in each town and corner. They are artistic and creative which they prove in the field of handloom and handicraft and dance. Their dominance in the field of sport is remarkable. One significant observation that we find today in Manipur is the rise in the number of women entrepreneur.  

Women in Manipur are known for their economic contribution in the family and in the community. Rural women are active agents of economic and social change, investors, caregivers, and consumers. They play crucial role in ensuring food and nutrition security, eradicating rural poverty and improving the wellbeing of their families yet continue to face serious challenges.

After the introduction to IWD by the program coordinators, a round of self-introduction was done along with sharing of how they feel about celebrating women’s day. Some of the participants have celebrated IWD before or have heard about IWD on radio and television but some participants shared that they have never heard of International women’s day and never knew such day exist before today. They are delighted and feel extremely happy to be a part of today’s gathering, being able to celebrate women’s day with other women. Some shared their life story, their struggles, burden, happiness, joy. Some expressed their feeling through comedy and jokes. Some sing and dance expressing their happiness on women’s day.

 The participants said that although the situation has been tense for quite a long time and they have to guard their villages at night which has given them tension and stress, their minds has been refreshed with this gathering celebrating women’s day and their spirits have been uplifted.

The program ended with light refreshment and group photo session.