Every woman should receive the respect she deserves, her voice should be heard, her dignity protected, and her individuality celebrated, writes Priyabrat Biswal

 

“Yatra pujyate nārī tatra ramyante devatāḥ” — where women are revered, there the Gods rejoice. This ancient Sanskrit wisdom is often quoted in speeches, scriptures and ceremonial occasions. Yet the reality of our society frequently tells a different story. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, this timeless line reminds us not only of what we proclaim about women, but also of how far we still must go to truly live by it.

In a society still burdened by centuries-old patriarchal attitudes, a woman is often confined to a role rather than recognised as an independent individual. Her identity is rarely her own. She is someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s wife or someone’s mother — seldom simply herself. The constitutional rights guaranteed to her and the promises of equality are loudly reiterated in conferences, policy documents and celebratory speeches. Yet in everyday life, these assurances often remain distant aspirations rather than lived realities.

The modern world takes pride in its progress. Globalisation has opened doors to education, careers and economic independence for millions of women. Today, women excel as scientists, entrepreneurs, soldiers, artists and political leaders. Despite these remarkable achievements, however, the deeper transformation — the transformation of mindset — continues to lag behind. The barriers that restrict women are not always visible anymore, but they survive in subtle prejudices, inherited attitudes and cultural expectations that quietly shape behaviour. In many ways, society has modernised its systems, but not its thinking.

It is time to confront this contradiction. Genuine empowerment of women will not emerge merely from laws, schemes or inspiring slogans. It will arise from a collective shift in how society perceives women — not as dependents or possessions, but as equal partners in shaping the future.

A woman adorned with a nose-pin, anklets, alata colouring her feet crimson and the gentle fragrance of perfume should never be reduced to an object of display or entertainment. Her grace and beauty are expressions of culture and individuality, not symbols of ownership. She is not an entity meant for utilisation, but a companion in cooperation and participation — an equal contributor in every sphere of life, from the household to the highest corridors of decision-making.

Yet the stories that frequently reach the headlines remind us how distant we remain from this ideal. Too often, women who raise their voices against injustice are forced to pay an unbearable price. Let the Soumyashrees of our society never feel compelled to resort to self-immolation to protest harassment and humiliation. Let the Babinas never become victims of brutal crimes for daring to resist lecherous and immoral men. Let the Sanchitas never have to sit in protest merely to seek recognition of the fatherhood of their child.

These names may represent individuals, but they symbolise the struggles of countless women whose voices rarely find space in headlines. Their experiences compel society to confront an uncomfortable truth: genuine respect for women cannot coexist with silence in the face of injustice.

The transformation we seek must begin at the very foundation of society. Every child should be born into a world where relationships are defined by love, responsibility and dignity — not deception, coercion or abandonment. A society that truly values women will ensure that every daughter grows up with confidence, every sister with security, every wife with partnership and every mother with dignity.

More importantly, such a society will recognise that a woman’s worth does not lie solely in these roles. She is an individual in her own right — with dreams, aspirations, talents and the freedom to shape her own destiny.

A woman is often described as second only to God because she possesses the profound power to create life. Yet reverence must go far beyond poetic expressions. True respect is not reflected in rituals or symbolic praise, but in everyday actions — in equal opportunities, in safety, in dignity and in the freedom to live without fear.

When a society truly honours its women, it transforms itself. Families grow stronger, communities become more compassionate and nations progress with greater harmony and creativity. The empowerment of women is therefore not merely a social issue; it is the very foundation of sustainable progress.

As the world observes International Women’s Day, the occasion should serve not only as a celebration but also as a moment of introspection. It is a time to ask whether our actions truly match our ideals, and whether our respect for women is genuine or merely ceremonial.

The hope for the future is simple yet profound: that every woman receives the respect she deserves, that her voice is heard, her dignity protected and her individuality celebrated. In such a society, women will never again be seen as problems to be managed, but as revered and invaluable pillars of human progress.

For when women are truly honoured, the ancient wisdom becomes a living reality — and humanity itself becomes richer, kinder and more divine.