Connecting girls, inspiring futures

Photo: A.M. Ahad/ drik news

International Women's Day (March 8) is a day for celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Organisations, governments, charities and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues. Every year, the United Nations declares an overall International Women's Day theme. "Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures" is the theme for 2012.
With the passage of time, International Women's day has moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives. Great improvements have been made. Today, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, they have real choices. Women also created history. We have female astronauts and prime ministers. In short, women are no less than their counterparts (men).
We still see instances of gender inequality because the attitude has always been that the boy child is more valuable. To alter that mindset, first and foremost, we need to empower ourselves with knowledge of the natural differences, roles and responsibilities between the two genders, and to never let gender superiority come in the way.
We need to empower our girls and boys with such education. Because, in the end, it is our upbringing that eventually influence our minds about so many things later on in life. Things we learn during childhood are stuck in our minds to the point that sometimes we start living them. May women, whether they are girls, sisters, or mothers be empowered to play their roles, wherever they may be. And in doing so, inspire others to treat and value every individual as a human being and not by gender, race, tribe, colour, or creed. Understanding the value of life is enough to bring the change many of us desire in a society.
We can involve, educate and inspire girls by promoting women's equality and assisting women to reach their full potential. People still generally associate men with mathematics and science, and women with the humanities and care-giving fields, but developing women's competencies and ensuring their equal access to all fields will widen their talents and perspectives. Quality education is the most fundamental basis for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. Empowered with such an education, and the self-confidence that comes with it, there is no limit to what women can do provided they have equal access to job and career opportunities and the determination to change the world.
We as individuals and as a culture can inspire girls in many ways only if we allow ourselves to be part of the changing revolution. Winning the hearts of others and being able to connect with hearts can bring a great change to the women folks in today's generation. We should also practice what we preach and be passionately involved in the field in which we intend to inspire others.
It takes a lot of hard work, pain, frustration and even failure to reach the stage where we can inspire others. So long as women do not give up, there are many who will look up to what they do and say: "One day, I'd like to become like her." Inspiration doesn't come from the loudspeakers or banners but in small simple ordinary ways; as simple as learning to use the dustbin, helping the needy, caring for the elderly, standing in the queue, paying up honestly, dressing modestly, and the list goes on and on.
In the context of Bangladesh, one of the tenacious challenges that stand in the way of education of girls is sexual harassment. Harassment can come not only from stalkers on the streets but also from male teachers or students. Whatever the nature of harassment is, it has a huge negative impact on the lives of the victim girls, as many of them are forced to drop out from education or are married off early. Ultimately, they cannot utilise their full potential. As a result, we miss their contribution in the nation-building process. Yet some girls can still make their way by overcoming all the hurdles and challenges. Many of them shine in their later life as doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, politicians, social workers and as all sorts professionals that were considered men's field in the past.
The good news is that the realisation is there now. With the increasing awareness in the media, which reflect the thoughts of the society, people from all strata of life are joining efforts to curb sexual harassment and violence against women. Many small collective initiatives against this social problem can be seen. Everyone understands that the culprits are few in number and the good people are many. If the good people stand united, anything is possible.
So let's make a difference. Let's do our bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding, not just on International Women's Day but every day.

The writer is Coordinator, Steps Towards Development. E-mail: [email protected]