Clad in an elegant blue tussar silk saree, the 64-year-old woman with grey hair held her chin up while entering a room with a red suitcase. The woman took her assigned seat in a room filled with men and presented her budget proposal amid much awe and expectation. The woman was Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The scene unfolded when she presented the budget in Parliament in July. In the last 77 years since its independence, India has come a long way for this to happen. Sitharaman is the first woman to head the finance ministry– not just that– Sitharaman is the first finance minister to table seven consecutive budgets. She even surpassed Moraji Desai, who presented six budgets.
Despite holding the important position, Sitharaman is just one of the two women ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 30-member cabinet. Women’s participation in the political arena is very important for the number of women in the cabinet to actually increase. From being mere voters, women should step out of their comfort zone and grab the opportunities to become true decision-makers. But there seems to be the continuous struggle for women’s participation and equality in all the spheres of life.
Without equality, women get no opportunities. Without equality, there is no end to the women’s struggle. There will be no women decision-makers and women will still be confined within four walls of their houses. It is to insist on the importance of treating women equally in all aspects and to bridge the gaps for the greater good, Women’s Equality Day has been commemorated annually. The day also serves as a reminder of the progress the women have made over the years.
Women’s Equality Day 2024
The first step towards creating a way for women leaders was taken in 1920, when the 19th Amendment was passed in the United States Constitution. The amendment granted women the right to vote. The right, which is believed to be the cornerstone of democracy, did not come easily. Until the early 19th century, women in the US couldn’t inherit property. Most of them were not allowed to work at all. Even those who worked made only half of men’s wages. That’s when women began to demand political representation. To gain political representation, they needed the right to vote.
The amendment was first introduced in the US constitution in 1878, but it was not ratified. Because it required approval from at least two-thirds of the states. It means 36 of the states had to ratify the amendment for it to pass. However, after a long struggle, the US Congress adopted the amendment—also known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment—on August 26, 1920, and let the women vote.
The US Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day in 1971.
From voting to becoming true decision-makers
From voting to becoming true decision-makers, women have a long way to go. Though almost all the countries have allowed their women to vote and make political representations now, the country’s head post is still unattainable for women in many countries. In several other countries, women had managed to grab the post just once or twice.
For instance, Indira Gandhi is the first and only woman prime minister India has had till date. Though the country has seen a significant rise in the number of women chief ministers and women union cabinet ministers, the prime minister post remains unattainable after Gandhi. Likewise, the United States hasn’t had a single woman president till date, though women continue to be active and influential in its politics. Not just that, the only woman vice-president of the US is Kamala Harris, who took office in 2021 under President Joe Biden.
However, it is also true that the world has seen many women heads in the last few decades and women are holding important posts in many countries. For the number to increase significantly, Women’s Equality Day 2024 should not just be observed, but also fervent steps to ensure equality on the ground should be taken.
Smile Foundation’s role
How can a woman become a leader when she is struggling even to make her ends meet? How can she spare a thought about society if she has seen nothing but the walls of her house? That’s why empowering women has become essential now more than ever. Smile Foundation believes that gender equality to be vital for both the social and economic development of a nation. The country prospers only when its women are empowered. Because a healthy mother ensures her family is healthy; a skilled woman joins the workforce and contributes significantly towards economic development; an educated mother makes sure her children are educated.
Realising its importance, Smile Foundation launched its women empowerment programme – Swabhiman – in 2005. As a part of the initiative, the teams reach out to women in marginalised and socially excluded communities to offer nutritious, healthcare and livelihood benefits. Not just that, we also implement projects that make women aware, skilled and financially independent.
Our Gurugram initiative
In one of our initiatives that integrate both nutritional and entrepreneurship needs of women, we have been supporting about 3,500 women in Sarhaul and Dundahera villages in Gurugram to make them self-reliant by educating them on reproductive health and providing entrepreneurial support. In these villages, we have made 104 safe institutional deliveries, immunisation of 460 infants and vaccination of 85 pregnant women.
Last year, we sensitised over 75,000 women on reproductive and child health, offered healthcare services to more than 80,000 women and supported about 54 women to start their own businesses and enterprises across the country.
One of the women whose livelihood was uplifted was Pramila from Haryana. Grabbing the opportunities bestowed upon her, she upskilled herself. Noticing her potential, the team supported her in setting up a boutique and financially assisted her to purchase required items, including sewing machines. Motivated by the immense change in their lives, Pramila’s husband Amul volunteers with the programme as a community change agent. Now he conducts door-to-door visits regularly and counsels men in creating a gender-equal society.
Women’s Equality Day 2024
In the ongoing journey toward true equality, Women’s Equality Day serves as both a celebration and a call to action. The progress women have made—from gaining the right to vote to breaking barriers in leadership roles—reflects the strides taken over the decades. Yet, the path to full equality remains long, with many challenges still ahead. For every Nirmala Sitharaman in the finance ministry, there are countless women still fighting for basic rights and opportunities.
Women’s Equality Day 2024 is a reminder that true equality means every woman has the chance to step out of the shadows, claim her rights and become a decision-maker in her own life and community.
