A not so Happy Women’s Day…

Gyanendra Kumar Kashyap

It’s a day to celebrate; yet the larger picture is lost in oblivion as no one wants to miss out on gesturing empty symbolism... 

Happy Women’s Day - well I haven’t wished anyone a happy women’s day. I understand that many a newspapers are flooded with colourful advertisements featuring insurance to automobile companies and yes the ministry of women and child development, TV channels and radio stations are saluting women with special programmes and e-commerce websites are offering special discounts to the fairer sex. Yes, there are efforts from every corner to make women feel that this day, March 8, is a special one for them. Nevertheless I have not been able to arrive at, as of now, any justifiable reason to wish my female colleagues a happy women’s day. If at all I have to, it may be – a not so happy women’s day.

The front page article in The Times of India, based on a survey commissioned by the newspaper states that 94 per cent of women find Delhi unsafe or very unsafe. As per the findings of the survey 96 per cent of the respondents don’t feel safe after sunset. If you thought that safety issue is more pronounced outside the office premise, then take note – the survey candidly states that 63 per cent feel that their office has no set up to fight sexual harassment. Agreed that these are mere statistics, however the moot point is that post the 16 December 2012 incident such responses are an indicator to the fact that there is need for more when it comes to the society approach towards women. Dedicating a day and merely luring the customer in women via advertisements is perhaps not the right way forward.

Isn't it a blot that just after two and a half months when Delhi gang rape shocked the nation, yet another gang rape in the satellite town of Ghaziabad a few days ago, March 2 to be precise, and molestation of a women journalist just a day before the international women’s day celebration has come to fore. Are not such incidences a reflection of the nation’s inability to protect its women?

How does the corporate world figure out when it comes to women at workplace? While each company may portray themselves as great employers, Defining Success 2013 diversity survey – released on the eve of Women’s Day - conducted by Accenture breaks certain claims.  The survey states that 42 per cent Indian women cited lack of opportunity for growth (learning, increased responsibility, etc) within their positions as one of the reasons for lower job satisfaction while 46 per cent feel they are underpaid. It goes on to state that for 68 per cent of women poor work culture is a top reason for quitting and 58  per cent state their work going unnoticed as a major reason.  A significant 31 per cent of the respondents find their working hours or workload to heavy – well questioning the work life balance philosophy that companies like to preach.

Following the horrific December 16 gang rape and taking a cue from the government, India Inc’s leading industry chambers – Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, FICCI, and Confederation of Indian Industries, CII set up high profile committees on women’s safety. For a change the government appointed Justice Verma committee and Usha Mehra committee turned their reports in a time bound manner and the Centre has already issued an ordinance ratifying several amendments to criminal laws proposed by the Justice Verma panel. What is intriguing is that neither FICCI nor CII – both of which had constituted special committees to suggest strategies to ensure safety of women – have moved beyond the drawing board stage. Apparently it seems that constituting a committee on the lines of the government was merely meant to earn a few brownie points.

It is in public knowledge across the world that India is a horrible place for women; nevertheless it is International Women’s Day and in our case it is more about symbolism than real content. It’s a special day, or at least that is what is made out to be, and so be it companies, politicians or even actors – none wants to miss out on the cutesy gestures of empty symbolism.