Category DAYS TO REMEMBER

          The world has to undergo an urgent change when it comes to its attitude towards women. Women are often sidelined and ignored when it comes to playing bigger roles in society. In certain communities, girl children are still unwelcome.

          International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, is an attempt to raise awareness regarding the equality between genders and the importance of providing an opportunity for women in society. International Women’s Day is a call for change and an occasion to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played extraordinary roles in the history of their countries and communities.

          In its Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN has set some important targets for empowering women. It aims to provide all girls and boys free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.

           Providing access to quality early childhood development, ending all forms of discrimination against women, eliminating all forms of violence against them and putting an end to practices, such as child marriage, are some of the key targets of this agenda.

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                                                                           We are not the only beings in the world, and we are not the lords and masters of the other living organisms around us as well.

              All the animals and plants on our planet have a worth within themselves and they contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of social well-being and sustainable development. Therefore, it is apt to celebrate World Wildlife Day on March 3.

              The theme of the Wildlife Day in 2018 was ‘Big Cats: Predators under threat’. The world’s beautiful, big feline predators are facing various kinds of threats from human activities. Many measures are being taken to arrest their declining population.

             World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the many exquisite and diverse forms of wild animals and plants. Such a day can help raise awareness about the multitude of benefits that conservation of the wild provides to people. However, the day also reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impact.

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          Language is a complex system of codes used for communication between human beings. How many languages do you know? There are persons who can handle many languages with ease. However, for all of them, their favourite language must be their mother tongue! On February 21, we celebrate the International Mother Language Day.

          Language is not merely a set of codes for communication. Every language carries a baggage of complex implications of culture, identity, education and development. They have the ability to preserve and develop our culture and heritage. Due to various political circumstances, certain languages assume more importance than others. For example, the English language is studied around the world because of British colonialism. However, there are innumerable languages in the world that need protection. Studies say that at least 43 per cent of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered and are on the brink of extinction.

          All efforts to preserve mother tongues will result in awareness of and respect for diverse traditions throughout the world and will promote solidarity.

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          All societies seek equality. The idea that all human beings are equal is based on the concept of social justice. For peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among societies and nations, the principle of social justice is an important element. February 20 is celebrated as the World Day of Social Justice.

          The core of social justice is in promoting human dignity. People face inequality in many ways. Economic inequality, gender inequality, racial and caste inequality and inequality in terms of opportunity are some of the ways society is divided. The principles of social justice promote equality on all counts and advocate removing barriers that split society in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, nationality and disability.

          The UN has constituted an international body called the International Labour Organization for ensuring employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work. Taking care of the interests of the migrants ranging up to 258 million across the world is another task of the UN.

          Equality is an ideal state and often an impossible dream; however, if states do not strive incessantly towards it, societies will fall apart and disintegrate.

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          Long before the Internet or television was popular, the radio ruled the world! People at home eagerly waited in front of radios for their favourite programme and young people in streets were seen with their ears glued to the machine listening to music! Even today, the radio is considered the mass medium reaching the widest audience in the world. In honour of the radio, we hold February 13 as the World Radio Day.

          Radio is considered a powerful communication tool at a very low cost. The main advantage of the radio is that it is suitable for communities in remote areas. It is also an affordable medium for vulnerable people such as the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor. It also offers a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and in disaster relief too.

          An amazing quality of radio is that it has managed to adapt to the changes and challenges of the 21st century. A ubiquitous medium, radio finds a place in homes, workplaces and automobiles.

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          Most societies in the world are patriarchal, meaning that men hold all the power, and women are excluded from the power structure. Traditionally, women have played second fiddle to men in various socio-political and cultural scenarios. While men were the rulers of the land, holders of important jobs and breadwinners for the family, women were mostly confined to the four walls of the home, taking care of children and doing household chores. Many attempts and interventions have been made for bringing about equality between both sexes in the society. February 11 is dedicated to gender equality and celebrated as the International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

           Science is one area where men have been dominating for long. A study conducted in 14 countries indicates that the probability of female students of graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or Doctor’s degree in science-related field is 18 per cent, 8 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. The study also indicates that in the case of men it is 37 per cent, 18 per cent and 6 per cent. Nations today believe that gender neutrality in science is essential for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations declared the International Day solely with the view of ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in science and technology.

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