International Women’s Day 2024 LIVE: ‘Salute strength, courage, and resilience of our Nari Shakti’, says PM Modi, extends greetings

March 8 was marked as Women’s Day by the United Nations in 1975 and officially recognised as such two years later. While countries across the world have since celebrated the day, its roots go much further back.

The UN’s official website says that the first National Woman’s Day was first observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of “the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.” Around 15,000 women marched that day for shorter hours of work, better pay and voting rights, the International Women’s Day (IWD) website says. Read more

On Constitution Day last year, I was delivering the valedictory address at the celebrations organised by the Supreme Court of India. Talking of justice, I thought of the under-trial prisoners and then could not resist speaking at length about their plight. I spoke from the heart, and it made an impact. Today, on International Women’s Day, I want to share some thoughts with you in the same spirit — straight from the heart.

Right from my childhood days, I have remained perplexed about the status of women in society. On the one hand, a girl child receives so much love from all around her and is even worshipped on auspicious days. On the other hand, she learns very soon that the possibilities open before her in life are fewer than those available to boys of her age. On the one hand, a woman is respected for her innate wisdom, even appreciated as the central figure of the family who takes care of everybody. On the other hand, she has a limited role, if at all, in nearly all significant decisions about the family or even herself. Read more

In the famous Franz Kafka parable, Before the Law, a man tries to enter a space, simply named the “law”, but is denied entry by the gatekeeper. He tells the man he cannot be granted entry “now”. The man waits for years conversing with the gatekeeper and eventually dies of old age without even once stepping inside the “law”. As the man dies, the gatekeeper tells him: “Here no one else can gain entry, since this entrance was assigned only to you. I am going now to close it.”

A contemporary reading of the parable may be in order around International Women’s Day. The “law” remains the same old workplace. The gate is DEI, or diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. And the talkative gatekeeper that stops women, among many other groups, from accessing it is the endless specious chatter around it that is comforting for its supporters and alarming for its detractors. Read more

Durgabai Nilekani recently entered the 100th year of her life. My mother-in-law is in good health, physically active, and mentally calm. She has mild cognitive impairment and some age-related decline. But every time you ask her how she is, Amma will say, “Oh, I am fine!” On some days, she will giggle and say she is “Ekdam fine”. This is even when we can hear her wheezing, or when we know she is in pain.

It is a lifelong training on how to live gracefully. Some days, when I may be feeling depressed, I quiz her, “Amma, how are you like this?” “Simple,” she answers. “I don’t worry about death. I think about life. And I am happy.” Read more

To mark International Women’s Day, Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, its women’s wing and the South Indian Education Society (SIES) will felicitate eight extraordinary women scientists from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), on March 10 at Shanmukhananda hall in Mumbai.

The scientists who will be felicitated were all part of the Chandrayaan 3 soft moon landing mission.

Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of skincare brand Mamaearth, found herself declining every invitation to speak at various International Women’s Day events this year– a decision that might seem surprising to some.

She explained the reason through a LinkedIn post, saying that while the intentions behind the invitations might be noble, the reality is quite different. “It’s surprising how everyone suddenly wants to speak to you during these 3 days, making it irritating and posing unnecessary stress on you,” she added.

Adult women should be having about 0.8 to 1 gram of protein daily for every kilogram of body weight. But the classic mistake they make is to eat more carbohydrates than proteins, the adequate intake of which is necessary for absorption of all macro and micro-nutrients. Pregnant and lactating women need a higher dose of protein —1.522 g/kg of body weight.

Here's why women need more protein than men?

It is that time of the year again — when every company, college canteen, CSR initiative, social media influencer, judge, and politician will offer empty platitudes for the category of “woman”. All of us in the Indian elite will enthusiastically participate in this charade. We will display our well-meaning outrage at news stories about violence against women, enjoy our Women’s Day discounts while opining on Twitter Pradesh or at conferences. We will all pretend to celebrate femininity and women’s bodies while being fearful of them and for them. In public, we will encourage our communities to respect all women. In private, what we will actually mean is that you must respect women who are “respectable” — dutiful-beautiful caregivers, worthy pliant wives of rich respectable men or women who have achieved accolades by self-presenting like rich respectable men.

Perhaps, it is time to shed some cynicism, become earnest and ask — what would it take to credibly feminise the institutions of our society? Can we feminise India? Let us draw on feminist first principles and try to pave a path.

Read more, from Shrayana Bhattacharya 

Struck by polio herself, K V Rabiya, Padma Shri awardee and literacy activist from Kerala fought several odds since her early days and played a key role in the literacy campaign in the state in the 1980s. She started six schools for children with special needs and trained and empowered more than 250 women through a small-scale manufacturing unit.

Read more about K V Rabiya

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hailed the decision to give a discount of Rs 100 in the prices of LPG cylinders saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is wholeheartedly committed to simplifying the lives of women.

"Today on the occasion of Women's Day, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji has given another gift to women power. Today Modi ji has announced a discount of Rs 100 in the prices of LPG cylinders. I congratulate this remarkable decision of the Prime Minister who is wholeheartedly committed to simplifying the lives of women," Shah wrote on 'X' in Hindi.

International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 every year to mark and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and raise awareness about women’s equality and accelerate gender parity. International Women’s Day was first observed in 1911.

Government departments and private organisations offer scholarship and fellowship opportunities to the woman students in the country. Here is a list of government scholarships and fellowships for women and girl students:

• INSPIRE-SHE Scholarship
• AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
• Post-graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
• CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child
• Women Scientist Scheme B (WOS-B)
• Pragati Scholarship for Girl Students in Technical Education
• UCG - Post Doctoral Fellowship for Women Candidates
• Scholarship to women enrolling in online courses
• Akanksha Scholarship for Women in STEM India

See details of how to apply and more.

Google Doodle has unveiled a touching tribute for International Women’s Day 2024, featuring a group of women sharing wisdom across generations within a “quilt embroidered with symbols of progress”. This special Doodle commemorates the courage and abilities of women, recognising their ongoing efforts towards achieving gender equality amidst global challenges.

Marking the first celebration of International Women’s Day by the United Nations in 1975, the Doodle highlights the significance of March 8, which is associated with historic Women’s Day demonstrations in Saint Petersburg and New York City. These demonstrations, despite occurring in different years and places, shared common objectives such as fair employment, voting rights, and access to public office.

Continue reading.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year to raise awareness about several issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

This year, take a look at some of the biggest women entrepreneurs and the institutes who made them skill-ready for their top positions.

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day acknowledging the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Not only does it celebrate the achievements and progress women have made, but it also highlights the ongoing struggles for equality and the need for continued advocacy and action worldwide.

On this day, several events take place globally to highlight the collective efforts of everyone who cares about human rights in the ongoing struggle for gender parity. As Gloria Steinem aptly stated, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to neither a single feminist nor any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

On the occasion of Women’s Day, President Droupadi Murmu nominated Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty to Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a post on X.

“Sudha Ji’s contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring. Her presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to our ‘Nari Shakti’, exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping our nation’s destiny,” Modi wrote in his post.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who scripted history when she became the first woman to occupy the post in any province of Pakistan, on Friday said she had to work "quite hard" for more than a decade to “make space” for herself in the ruling PML-N, a party founded by her father Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking at an event to mark Women's Day in Lahore, she said, “As this has been a very male-dominated party historically, I also had to work quite hard for 12-13 years to make space for myself.” “But if I am standing here, it is a message for every woman, mother and daughter, that if you want to do something, then being a woman cannot be an obstacle in fulfilling your dreams and mission,” she was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

Maryam, 50, who is considered a political heir to Nawaz Sharif, took oath as the chief minister of Punjab on February 26 reportedly as part of a deal worked out with the blessings of the powerful Pakistan Army when the three-time former premier's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) failed to muster enough seats to form a government on its own.

(PTI report)

The first batch of women aviators in the Indian Air Force (IAF) who joined the academy in mid-1993 had to break through a glass ceiling of perception and doubts. On International Women’s Day, Wing Commander Pamela Pereira of that maiden batch recounts the journey of the first 13 women flight cadets who joined the IAF to be pilots.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Pereira says that at the time there were already two batches of women ground duty officers who had been undergoing training. “Ours was the first batch to undergo flying training. So while there was some adaption that had taken place in the academy for women cadets, the flying training was a different ballgame,” she recounts.

Adult women should be having about 0.8 to 1 gram of protein daily for every kilogram of body weight. But the classic mistake they make is to eat more carbohydrates than proteins, the adequate intake of which is necessary for absorption of all macro and micro-nutrients. Pregnant and lactating women need a higher dose of protein —1.522 g/kg of body weight.

Says Dr Vishal Kumar, additional professor of orthopaedics at PGIMER, Chandigarh, “Among the child-bearing group, the requirement is higher. A lactating woman needs to have an extra reserve or storage of proteins. It is advisable to have proteins in a phased manner because they are a bit hard to digest. Taking proteins in adequate amounts spread over the day helps in establishing a good balance between absorption and assimilation.”

How should we have proteins?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sent out greetings for International Women’s Day through a post on X, saying that he salutes “the strength, courage, and resilience of Nari Shakti and lauds their accomplishments across various fields.” In his post, the PM also stressed on his government’s commitment to furthering women empowerment.

In a follow-up post on the social media platform, PM Modi shared a video featuring women achievers in various fields – from the military to sports and business. The over four-minute video is captioned “Now it’s your turn to fly…You are the daughter of India”.

Several other leaders also took to X  to send out their greetings for the occasion.

International Women’s Day 2024: Best Gifts: International Women’s Day, observed on March 8th, is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. This day serves as a platform to recognise women’s challenges and advocate for their rights and empowerment.

Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to send out greetings for the International Women's Day, as well. In his post, he said all initiatives taken up by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government make women empowerment their focal point.

Picture your local tapri — but filled with women. Women delighting in a shared cup of chai. A bunch of them slurping on a single plate of butter maggi. A pair sitting a little sideways, hand in hand, as they blast music out of their phone, while the rest of their friends are busy yapping amongst themselves.

In a move designed to show support to women across the globe, France, on the International Women's Day, is set to include the right to abortion in its Constitution.

The move has made France the first country in the world to give the constitutional guarantee to abortion. 

French legislators approved the amendment on Monday in a 780-72 vote that was backed by many far-right lawmakers.

(With AP inputs)

To celebrate the International Women's Day, a team of 16 women took up the charges of running the Ranchi to Tori passanger train in Jharkhand. The team consisted of a loco-pilot, assistant loco-pilot, train manager, eight ticket checkers and five personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The arrangements were made by the Ranchi division of the South Eastern Railway (SER).

“Women are in charge of the train operation between Ranchi and Tori junctions today to mark International Women's Day. It's a proud moment for us," Senior Divisional Commercial Manager-cum-CPRO Nishant Kumar told PTI.

(With PTI inputs)

President Droupadi Murmu said on her X post everyday should be celebrated as Women's Day as one day is not sufficient to celebrate the achievements of women.

She also wrote, "We have come a long way from the days when our grandmothers first stepped out to join the freedom movement, and our daughters will carry the torch forward into the second century of independence."

Meenakshi Lekhi, Union Minister of State of External Affairs and Culture, celebrated the contribution of women in STEM research and medicine on the ocassion.

She wrote on X, "Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate the contributions of women in STEM, especially medicine. It is also a day to appreciate the support of men who champion women's empowerment. As we celebrate Mahashivratri, let's not forget that Shiva and Shakti together are fundamental forces that balance the universe and support creation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the nation's outlook and policy towards women from empty slogans of empowerment to women-led development and governance, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi said on Friday.

The PM thus fulfilled nationalist poet Subramania Bharati's dream on women's liberation, he said, while speaking on the occasion of International Women's Day at the Raj Bhavan here.

“I pay tributes to our mothers and sisters and we reaffirm our commitment to create an inclusive, equitable and secure environment for women,” Ravi said.

Paying floral tributes to Sangam-era Tamil saint-poetess Avvaiyar, he said that she was more appropriate as an example of women leadership.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the nation's outlook and policy towards women from empty slogans of women empowerment to women-led development, and women-led governance,” the Governor told reporters.

(PTI report)

In the 1930s, revolutionary groups sprang up across the country, particularly in undivided Bengal, including those led by women. Dacca (now Dhaka), Comilla, Chittagong, and Calcutta were the seats of activity for these women-led groups and they were particularly associated with colleges. Young students were recruited by classmates and alumni, drawn by the cause of the freedom of the nation from British rule. Student associations in educational institutions served as semi-revolutionary groups and collectively trained women in weapons, combat and associated activities. They also served as secure spaces where women could gather to openly discuss issues related to women’s rights, liberation and freedom from British rule.

The history of women’s movements in the Indian subcontinent has an interesting trajectory and scholars have differing views on precisely when they started. There is some consensus, however, among scholars of the subject that the origins of these movements can be traced to the early 19th century where the focus was on social reform and the liberation of women from socio-cultural bondages in the subcontinent. Hence, although collectively women’s movements in India are close to two centuries old, they have consistently changed and altered in form, structure and agendas over the years, to address developing challenges and requirements.

Read more of Neha Banka's special.

International Women’s Day 2024 Best Wishes: As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, March 8th, globally, it is a day that celebrates the contribution and achievement of women in society. This year, in 2024, the theme for International Women’s Day is 'Inspire Inclusion', which emphasises the importance of inspiring women to be included, fostering a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Here are some thoughtful wishes one can share and make the day special.

1. Happy International Women’s Day! Here’s to the women who inspire us daily with their courage, compassion, and unwavering strength. May you continue to lead the way and shine brightly.

2. To all the incredible women, may this Women’s Day be a reminder of your worth and the powerful impact you have on the world. Keep making waves, for the future is female!

3. Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them. I wish you a very happy Women’s Day!

See full list.

Delphine Donné, Logitech’s VP & General Manager Business Group – Personal Workspace Solutions, found herself in the tech industry “purely by chance” and said has tried to simplify people’s lives driven by her passion.

 “I’ve come to realise that technology offers incredible opportunities to create product solutions that enhance people’s lives, making them more productive and comfortable,” said Donné.

Across the world, diversity is a hallmark of effective institutions. The inclusion of women is one crucial element in operationalising this value. Institutions tasked with the delivery of justice are particularly obligated to demonstrate their commitment to diversity, including gender diversity. This Women’s Day, whether or not there is an appetite to include women is evidenced by the numbers. Data tells its sadly honest story.

The latest India Justice Report (IJR) points out that the gender gap remains wide in each of the subsystems that make up the justice delivery system — police, judiciary, prisons, legal aid, and human rights commissions.

A quick, back-of-the-envelope estimation shows there are only about three lakh women in the justice delivery system. Quotas have helped them get in, but even when they are included, inevitably, women’s place remains restricted to the lower echelons: If 35 per cent of subordinate judges are women, the number comes down to 13 per cent in the high courts. In the Supreme Court today, there are only three women judges. According to IJR figures from 2022, from around 12 per cent women at the constabulary level, the number declines to 8 per cent at the officer level. The pathetically few women in prison administration (14 per cent) are almost all stuck in the lowest ranks. No one is rushing to fill the gender gap.

The charitable wing of the women's professional tennis tour and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have started a joint effort to provide prenatal vitamins to 1 million women in low- and middle-income countries.

The Women Change the Game campaign — announced Friday, International Women's Day — aims to raise money and awareness to make women's health and nutrition a priority around the world.

It is the first element of a partnership between the WTA Foundation and the Gates Foundation.The new WTA Foundation Global Women’s Health Fund will seek to increase interest in the issue and encourage donations via womenchangethegame.com.Money raised through the campaign will be steered to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund.

“It is unacceptable that so many women and girls don’t have access to adequate nutrition and basic care,” said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“The WTA Foundation was founded on the idea of equal opportunity, and that’s exactly what Women Change the Game is about. Nowhere is it more important to level the playing field than women’s health.”

(AP report)

On Thursday, Madhya Pradesh celebrated Women's Day by holding a 'Saree Walkathon' in its capital city of Bhopal. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who was in attendance, said that the 'saree' has become "the symbol of India by foreigners." 

“Saree has been the identity of Bharatiya culture for thousands of years. Its connection with India is so profound that if a woman from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka is seen wearing a saree abroad then she is considered as Indian," he said.

- With PTI inputs.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah sent out his greetings on International Women's Day through a post on X (formerly Twitter), as well.

He wrote, 'It is an occasion that honors the contributions of women in building individuals, societies, and nations while reminding us to bolster our pledge to gender parity.'

Union Minister Smriti Irani also took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday on the ocassion of International Women's Day. She said the day marked the end of "yet another fruitful year in the service of India’s Shakti Swaroopa Nari." Her post also included the government's various initiatives in women empowerment such as the POSHAN tracker registration, MUDRA loan, increased enrolment of women in higher education, and NAMO Drone Didi.

It read, "Nourishment and nutrition through POSHAN tracker registration amounting to ~10 crores, financial ironing through 30 crore MUDRA loan women beneficiaries, increased enrolment of women in higher education and non-conventional domains such as drone operations under NAMO Drone Didi are but a few interventions that catalyse the realisation of Saksham Bharat. Through these interventions, we signal our unwavering alignment with PM Modi’s words of wisdom- ‘matru shakti hee rashtra shakti hai’!"

Among the first batch of the lady officers to command a unit is Colonel Sonia Anthak, who commands the supply depot.

Colonel Sonia, who also served with the United Nations Mission at Golan Heights (UNDOF) has recently received the GOC-in-C South Western Command Unit Citation on the occasion of Army Day 2024. This is the first award conferred on the unit ever since its raising, making it a proud moment not only for the colonel but for entire unit.

Read interview.

Age is just a number when it comes to success in life. A few women from rural Punjab have shown that they can break the stereotype at any age. They may not be earning a six-figure salary but are equally happy. On this International Women’s Day, meet the rural women who are gaining confidence with each passing day.

Read the stories of Harjinder Kaur Uppal, Karamjit Kaur, Sukhpal Kaur, and Sarabjeet Kaur Chaina.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated the International Women's Day in association with Maiti Nepal on Thursday, reported ANI.

The event stayed true to the International Women's Day theme for 2024 - Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, and Inclusive Growth.

The ocassion was graced  by the first woman chief minister of Nepal, Ashta Lakshmi Shakya, along with Prasanna Shrivastava, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, and  Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Shrivastava highlighted the significance of the occasion and applauded the extraordinary efforts of Maiti Nepal for the welfare and prosperity of the women of Nepal.

Maiti Nepal is a non-profit organization in Nepal dedicated to helping the victims of human trafficking.

He also mentioned that Koirala's endeavours in this regard have been well recognised by the Government of India, noting that in 2017, she was bestowed with the prestigious 'Padma Shri' award by the Government of India.

Ashta Lakshmi Shakya highlighted the importance of the unique India-Nepal relationship and advocated greater collective efforts for the empowerment of women in Nepal.

- With ANI inputs

In a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the central government has decided to drop the price of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders by Rs 100, on this ocassion. He said, “This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting our Nari Shakti.”

On the ocassion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out greetings through a post on X (formerly Twitter). He saluted the strength, courage, and resilience of Indian women and their accomplishments across various fields. He further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government is committed to empowering women.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with female graduates of the Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School on the eve of International Women's Day and marks women's achievements in the special military operation.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged people to create an environment in which every woman is empowered to realise her potential and all the hurdles that hinder her progress is dismantled, news agency PTI reported.

On the eve of International Women's Day, the vice president said this is a day to celebrate the invaluable contributions made by women in every sphere of society with their unwavering resolve, boundless compassion and ceaseless determination. We can pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous society by ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women... On this day, let's recommit ourselves to create an environment where every woman is empowered to realise her full potential and every hurdle that hinders her progress is dismantled," Dhankhar said.

Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani Thursday announced a grant from Nirbhaya Fund for women's hostels in Delhi University, according to a statement. Irani announced the grant while at the Vikas Bharat Ambassador-Nari Shakti Conclave in Delhi University north campus.

The conclave was organised by DU in view of International Women's Day on March 8.

The money from the Nirbhaya Fund will be used for the development and maintaince of the women's hostels, the university statement said.

Women during the 3rd edition of the 'She is Amazon' event organised by Amazon India at World Trade Centre to celebrate International Women's Day, at Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee participates in a rally on the eve of International Women's Day, in Kolkata, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)

In her article, Shrayana Bhattacharya writes: "'Feminising' India is not about bean counting the number of women in roles of power or valorising women who have achieved glory. It implies rescuing our institutions from the brute language of glory or power and moving them towards a paradigm of care and deliberative empathy. This is an uphill task, given how men and women in key institutions seem to have capitulated to a masculine culture of competitive self-maximising and muscle-flexing." Read the full article in Premium here

The United Nations has designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’

It highlights the significance of diversity and empowerment across all sectors of society. Through this campaign, there is a strong emphasis on recognising the importance of diversity and empowerment in various spheres of society and underscoring the pivotal role of inclusion in advancing gender equality.

Hello! Its International Women's Day tomorrow. Watch this space for updates on how the day is being celebrated across the world.