The One Liner

Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day

Dastan Huzaifa
February 7, 2023. 4 minute Read

Women have been a constant source of support, wisdom, and inspiration, from our mothers and grandmothers to our sisters, friends, and colleagues. As a society, we are highly grateful for all the women who have inspired and shaped us into the people we are today.

What stunned me as a man is that women are now constantly breaking down the barriers and stereotypes and achieving great success in fields that were once considered off-limits. We have seen women taking on leadership roles in politics, business, and the arts and constantly making significant contributions to their communities and the world.

In many parts of the world, women have evolved from being viewed as mere objects or possessions to being recognized as full-fledged human beings with rights and aspirations of their own. From gaining the right to vote to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, women have repeatedly proven that they can achieve great things when given a chance.

Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day
Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day

For example, women have made significant strides in India in recent decades. They have risen to positions of power in politics, business, and entertainment and have become leaders in their respective fields. Women are no longer just homemakers or caregivers. Today, women are the greatest asset to the economy and society. This new mindset has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for women and has paved the way for future generations to continue breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes.

As a society, we recognize our role in creating a more inclusive and equitable world and supporting women in their quest for equal rights and opportunities. But we also know that the fight for gender equality is far from over. Women still face numerous challenges, including unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, and gender-based violence.

So this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of the incredible women in our lives and of women around the world. We honor the sacrifices and struggles that women have faced throughout history and the progress that they have made in breaking down barriers and creating a more just and equitable world.

Women at the Top

Mamta Banerjee
women like Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, have risen to prominence, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations of women leaders. She became the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011 and was re-elected in 2016 and 2021, proving that women can lead and govern just as effectively as men.
PV Sindhu
Indian women athletes like PV Sindhu and Avani Lekhara have made India proud on the world stage. PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal in badminton at the 2016 Rio Olympics and followed it up with a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. PV Sindhu has also strongly advocated women's fitness and health. She has spoken openly about the challenges of staying fit as a woman, particularly in a field where there is often pressure to maintain a specific body type.
Guneet Monga
women are making their mark as well. Filmmaker Guneet Monga has produced critically acclaimed films like "The Lunchbox" and "Masaan," and even won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject in 2019 for her movie "Period. End of Sentence." Women writers like Arundhati Roy and Jhumpa Lahiri have also won numerous awards and accolades for their work, proving that women have a place in the arts and can excel just as much as men.
Falguni Nayar
women entrepreneurs like Falguni Nayar, the founder, and CEO of Nykaa, an online beauty retailer, have shown that women can succeed in the competitive business world. Launched in 2012, Nykaa has now valued at over $1.2 billion and is every girl's favorite app.
Avani Lekhara
Avani Lekhara, on the other hand, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in shooting at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. Mind you! It's not easy to achieve incredible feats in the field of shooting, despite Avani Lekhara's physical limitations. Born with a spinal cord injury that left her paraplegic, Avani had to navigate significant challenges to pursue her passion for sports.
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Education provides a Vision for a more equitable world.

Education is a fundamental right of every individual and is particularly crucial for women’s empowerment and progress. There has been a growing emphasis on women’s education and literacy in India in recent years. 

The impact of education on women’s lives is immeasurable. Education provides women with knowledge and skills and empowers them to make informed decisions about their lives. Educated women are more likely to participate in the workforce, have fewer children, and raise healthier families. Moreover, educated women are better equipped to take charge of their health, finances, and overall well-being, which they ignored previously. 

Seeing the progress made in recent years is encouraging, but there is still a long way to go. Despite the strides made in women’s education, many girls in India aren’t allowed to attend school due to various socio-economic factors.

Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day

Innovation for the Women by a Women

Women, especially women, have been instrumental in developing and inventing various items that have helped improve people’s lives. Women’s most noteworthy inventions include:

  • The dishwasher.
  • The modern brassiere (bra).
  • The medical syringe.
  • The disposable diaper.
  • The modern electric refrigerator.

The dishwasher, invented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886, was designed to wash dishes more efficiently and has since become a common household appliance. The modern brassiere, developed by Mary Phelps Jacob in 1913, has been a significant innovation in women’s undergarments and has undergone numerous iterations since its inception. 

The medical syringe, invented by Letitia Mumford Geer in 1899, has helped revolutionize medical practices by allowing for accurate and sterile medication administration. The disposable diaper, developed by Marion Donovan in 1950, has significantly reduced the workload of mothers and caregivers by eliminating the need for constant washing and drying. 

Finally, the modern electric refrigerator, invented by Florence Parpart in 1914, has dramatically improved food preservation and storage, reducing food waste and spoilage. These are just a few examples of the many inventions made by women that have changed the world we live in today; well; the list is long.

Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day

Strong Women, Stronger World

Women’s health and well-being are crucial to their overall empowerment and progress. Despite the numerous challenges women face in this area, it is worth highlighting the praise-worthy efforts made by individuals and organizations to promote and protect women’s health.

From menstrual hygiene campaigns to initiatives aimed at improving maternal health, numerous examples exist of individuals and organizations working to improve women’s health in India. Women’s health advocates are fighting to break the silence surrounding reproductive health and menstrual hygiene and promote better awareness of issues such as breast and cervical cancer.

Moreover, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health for women. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are prevalent among women, and many organizations are working to provide support and counseling to women facing such challenges. Additionally, there has been a push for greater awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and harassment, which can significantly impact women’s mental and emotional well-being.

Beyond Borders: Women Achieving Great Heights around the World

Women worldwide have significantly contributed to various fields, breaking barriers and achieving great heights. Here are a few notable examples:

Sanna Marin

Sanna Marin

At just 34 years old, Sanna Marin became Finland's youngest sitting prime minister in 2019. She is known for her progressive policies, focusing on combating climate change and promoting gender equality.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

With multiple Grammys, chart-topping albums, and a legion of devoted fans, Taylor Swift is one of the most successful musicians of her generation. She has also been a vocal advocate for women's rights and has used her platform to speak out on issues such as personal choices, sexual assault, and gender inequality.

Whitney Wolfe Herd

Whitney Wolfe Herd

As the founder and CEO of the popular dating app Bumble, which allows women to text first if there is a match, Whitney Wolfe Herd has become one of the most successful women in the tech industry. She has also been a vocal advocate for women in business and has used her platform to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Zendaya

Zendaya

Zendaya young actress, has made a name for herself in Hollywood, earning critical acclaim for her performances in movies and TV shows. It's difficult to handle success at a young age; she has repeatedly used her platform to speak out on issues like representation and diversity in the entertainment industry.

Ways to Celebrate Women’s Day

1. Support women-owned businesses

Buy products or services from women-owned businesses or support a local women’s cooperative.

2. Donate to a women's charity.

Donate to a women’s charity or volunteer your time to support a cause that empowers women, such as a domestic violence shelter, a girls’ education program, or a women’s health clinic.

3. Attend a women's event.

Attend a Women’s Day event or conference in your community, or participate in a virtual event.

Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day
Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day
Celebrating Women's Achievements on International Women's Day

4. Educate yourself

Read books or watch documentaries about inspiring women or learn about the history of women’s rights movements.

5. Advocate for gender equality.

Speak out against gender discrimination, support women’s rights, and advocate for equal opportunities for women in all areas of life.

6. Celebrate the women in your life.

Take time to recognize and appreciate the women in your life, such as your mother, sister, friend, or mentor.

Remember, Women’s Day is not just a day to celebrate women but also to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality.

A Note from the Founder
Coming from a progressive family, it wasn't difficult to make my family believe that "I want to do a startup, and I am working on it already." But obviously, it is some people who make things difficult for you. For example, in any case, if you go to a Business meeting, you open your Handbook and keep writing text, and meanwhile, talk business and do some munching in the background. But there would be some guys around you who would be only there to check what brand you are wearing, even say, "you are the only person who is not getting married," and finally, how much you earn. And it doesn't here because I am a woman; whenever I pitch my interest or ideas, people often question its overall existence rather than discuss it. They even predict I will close my digital shop one day and won't care about the world. There are even some men who would also display their aghast when I discuss money with them. And the worst part is many kids zone you in case you are a young woman.

Here is the thing, since I am a Mechanical Engineer, who has been around guys, it helped a lot to read people's intentions well, and what helped me was my family and a few friends, who are always one call away. More than all these things, I know where I must stop, which I have learned from my overall experience in life.
Priyadarshini Sahoo, Founder, The One Liner.

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Final Thoughts

 International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of women’s important role in shaping society and the world around us. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of women in various fields, including business, politics, sports, the arts, and more. However, it is also a day to reflect on women’s challenges, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare. It is heartening to see that people in India and worldwide are actively celebrating Women’s Day and advocating for women’s rights. As we move forward, it is essential to continue to push for greater gender equality and to work towards creating a world where women have equal opportunities and can realize their full potential.

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Ojasvi
1 year ago

It was a nice article on women, genuinely enjoyed the personal touch of the founder’s note.

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