I want to see women be financially independent, get themselves the best education and be paid equally as men! They shouldn't be afraid to live by their values and being judged by what profession they choose needs to stop. They should have a vision for what they want in life and be willing to do what it takes to turn that vision into a reality - Devika Martins, interior designer
Well for me respect and modesty of women is at an all time low and is only getting worse.. Women need to be given the freedom to follow their heart. This International Women's Day I would like to say that a woman is a person too. Learn to respect her as she holds the key to the generations to come -Leurelle Godinho, freelance content writer
Instead of demanding chivalry from men, why don't we be compassionate towards our own sex?
For example, we expect men to open doors for us and let us go in first etc... why wait for men? We can open doors for others too. Its just about respect rather than some old social norm -Heloise Barretto, teacher
I think this decade has been amazing for women. Compared to the earlier years women are given the respect they deserve. At least for me, I've never ever faced any hardships because I'm a woman. I know many women out there do face atrocities and there's a lot happening to them. But the laws are getting stricter, they are getting media attention and mass support compared to a few years back. The state of women in the cities is improving. Unlike earlier times when women were treated as a burden and were married off at an early age, women now days enjoy freedom and can stand up for their rights. Most of the city girls get an opportunity to study and make a career. Women now are stronger and independent. At least for me, I'm was given a chance to build a career, travel and have fun, everything within limits though. Parents do keep a tab on my activities, but I understand it isn't because they don't want me to enjoy life but to ensure my safety. If every parent out there supports their girl go out and experience the world, I'm sure that will make the girl stronger. She will learn to face problems and come up with solutions on her own. There's still a long way to go. But India is slowly becoming a country for woman too! Patriarchy won't die off anytime soon. But its getting better! -Flexcia D'Souza, blogger
While travelling recently, I passed a scene where an elderly woman driving a car was stopped and was being harassed by a man who had probably been driving the car in front of her and claimed that she hit his car. I happened to get a close look at his car and it looked perfectly fine. The back bumper showed no signs of having been hit. But there were quite a few men who had surrounded the lady in her car. The incident particularly struck me because I know how often I have been harassed for being a woman driver, even though I have never hit another vehicle in all my years of driving. But I've noticed that when women find themselves in a tight spot on the road, many men waste no time in grabbing the opportunity to harass them blatantly or subtly. Of course it's not as bad in Goa as it is in other parts of the country. But even in Goa we are constantly being reminded of our place in society. We might not be told that it's in the kitchen anymore. But our intelligence and skill is still being undermined and challenged. We are often alloted the place of a being that is 'inferior' and alongside bringing his tea for him, we must listen to the advice of man, this 'infallible' being- Aileen Carneiro, language specialist
Women form an integral part of society, we are survivors, dealing with every hurdle that comes our way.women in today's day and age cannot and should not be taken for granted, as we all have it in us to make a change, we are strong individuals and avoid letting societal norms make us different or a class apart.with our individuality and potential we are working towards making a better place for us -Tamara Abreu, PR
Let me start off by saying I actually hope we don't need days like women's day or mothers day or father's day or valentines day to remind us to appreciate each other and a day comes where we are thankful daily for everyone in our lives. That a special day isnt needed anymore. I don't really need to talk about women empowerment with how much progress women have already made and it's visible everywhere. Be it in the IT line, medical line, they are everywhere today with brilliant accomplishments. Some places have yet to catch up and I hope they do soon. Women and men complement each other in some aspects so we are all interdependent finally irrespective of gender or roles. I think rather than being negative and bashing men or the system or culture, we encourage everyone to contribute what they can in terms of talents and educate everyone, this also has been started in most places, and teach them to live in harmony and respect each other from a young age. I hope we live in a world someday where that happens. Where there is no differentiation and everyone is a team.
Cecilia Lourenco,designer/developer
