Here’s what she says, thinks, wants

MAKING A DIFFERENCE On International Woman’s Day, HT takes views of a cross section of women. We ask them three simple, key questions. And the answers reveal a lot, not only about the state of women but about the state of our society at large.

1 International Women’s Day underlines the recognition of women at a global level, a move towards gender equality, a sense of dignity, self-worth and respect, and trust in their abilities. 2 Women should be able to move out of their homes without fear. Education of women should happen in both letter and spirit. Skill-oriented courses are needed.

3 Healthy child-rearing practices need to be adopted. We should teach our sons and brothers to respect women. Ashmeen Kaur, psychology

lecturer, Jalandhar

1 Though the world is accepting women as an important part of society but in African, Arab and Asian countries, women are still far behind. I don’t think we will have to celebrate such days if issues get solved. 2 Snatching is prevalent in the city so there should be CCTV cameras all over. Eveteasing is another major problem. Thirdly, I think cabs and buses for women are needed.

3 Women should be given training in self-defence. Thinking about ourselves as weaker sex should be banished.

Poonam Lagah, radio announcer, Jalandhar

1 The day means celebrating womanhood and identifying our similarities and strengths irrespective of our cultures and nations while also identifying the diversity of issues. 2 Safety is the most important issue for women. Better healthcare is important for women. They should be encouraged pursue what makes them happy.

3 Don’t stereotype women! There used to be many pariah fields where women are shining now.

Yashika Sharma, engineering student, Jalandhar

1 The celebration of this day is itself an achievement for women. I travel about 12 km daily for job and always feel insecure in a bus. To address this, women must be the priority of the government by taking legal steps. 2 Educating and making the public aware as how to treat women is of utmost importance to bring about a change in overall perception in the society.

3 There is a need to do away with societal pressure. There are cases where educated girls are suffering.

Sukhjinder Kaur, audit associate, Bathinda

1 The International Women’s Day is for celebrating women’s rights and achievements and to share the same with their counterparts across the world. Education is the basis of bring out the potential of any woman. 2 Women participation in jobs as well as politics should be in equal ratio to men. As women are coming forward to claim their rights they should also listen to others.

3 The meaning of feminism should make a positive impact by being fair to both men and women.

Nupur Wadera Gakhar, housewife,

Bathinda

1 Woman is not only the backbone of a family but also of the society. All days should celebrate women’s existence. Our religion gave women very high place and we must implement that in our day-to-day life. 2 Women education still is big concern as gender equality cannot be achieved without doing so. Special attention should be paid to uplift women in rural areas.

3 It is but a fact that gender-based discrimination is more severe rural areas across the country. Dr Nidhi Gupta, psychiatrist,

Bathinda

1 Women has played a vital role in shaping human civilization, history has witnessed that women has shaped the destiny of the nation by giving birth to notable saints. Women have left a stamp in every field. 2 In Amritsar, women should not be afraid of moving alone in the city. Proper law should be enforced, snatchers should be caught hold of and taught lesson.

3 All institution should have councillors who can work on psychological development of a woman.

Pushpinder, DAV College principal, Amritsar

1 Women’s Day to me is the day that recognise the efforts of women towards the betterment of our home, work place, country and the world we live in. Without women nothing is possible as she acts like a backbone. 2 In our belt (Amritsar district) gender discrimination, eve-teasing, sexual harassment are issues which needs to be addressed.

3 Women empowerment is respecting a woman and her dreams, and helping her to achieve them.

Baljit Kaur, dholi, Amritsar