This year, the World celebrates the great efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain. Therefore, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid 19 World” was selected as a theme for International Women’s Day to observe the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women. The History Behind this Day tells us that it was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe against World War I inspired women in other countries to adopt International Women’s Day. The date of observance moved to March 8 in 1913.

International Women’s Day is commemorated in a variety of ways worldwide. In India also women’s come together to mark an honour for each other in some or other way. Different organizations in the country observe this day with working women Achievers from different fields & also with those women who are working at their homes as housewives. This day brings equality among all women either she is Working or non-Working. Caritas India & its Partners under Swaraksha AHT Program join hands in had with Govt. Stakeholders to celebrate the day & honour women from different communities & Govt. Departments.

In the series of Program, the Partners organized the workshop for Asha workers where the discussion revolved around health, nutrition, and other challenges. The first issue that was brought up was girl child dropouts. Talking about the gender discrimination between boys and girls, the discussion was made about how girls are dropped out of school once they complete 8th standard. The reason given to not send them to Inter-college is their safety and other reasons like they will become “too independent”. The other predominant reason for girl’s dropout is menstruation. Lack of awareness, stigma, and superstitions around the menstruation cycle results in girls staying out of school for almost 10 weeks in a year, which creates academic challenges resulting in dropouts. School dropouts result in child marriage as soon as the girl enters the adolescent stage. The ASHAs narrated various experiences as to how early marriage result in health issues for both the young mother and child. Giving the women health Priority Cases of anaemia, malnourishment and mortality rate were discussed. Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights was discussed, focusing on menstrual hygiene and how to avail govt. services like the availability of sanitary napkins in schools and colleges. Besides all these issues Human trafficking was also discussed with these women so that they can be prevented from the Risk of Being Trafficked. They were informed what is Human Trafficking, how does it happen, what are the primary causes for the vulnerability of people to trafficking. Laws, schemes related to women were also discussed, like the Child Marriage prohibition act, Sexual harassment at the workspace, Maternity leave, Inheritance laws etc. Lastly, all helpline numbers were made available like 102, 108, 112, 1090, 1098, 1076 and their importance was also discussed.

Another place of International Women’s Day observation was in Nichlaul and Nautanwa blocks which are the intervention areas of SWARAKSHA AHT Program & also International Women’s Day celebration was organized at Masih Sevashram Intercollege, Nichlaul, under the banner of Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti in collaboration with Nav Jyoti Mahila Sangharsh Mandal, Nichlaul. The program was held under the chairmanship of Mrs. Savitri Devi (President, Block Level Mahila Mandal).

The Chief Guest of the program Mrs. Kanchan Rai (Station House Officer, Women Police Station, Maharajganj District who emphasized women empowerment as leaders of the society. Distinguished guest Rev. Father Mathews ( Assistant Director, Purvanchal Gramin Seva samiti, Gorakhpur, Rev Fr Saji Josef, ( Guardian, Purvanchal Gramin Seva samiti, Branch Nichlaul), Mr. Devendra Kumar (DSP Nichlaul), Mr. Rajesh Varma (Member of child welfare committee, Maharajganj), Mr. Shakil Ahmed (AHTU In-charge, Maharajganj) also shared their insights on this occasion that how the State Govt. has initiated the Mission Shakti Campaign for the safety of women & is willing to empower every woman in the society. They praised the efforts of Women Self Help Groups and Mahila Mandal’s in strengthening the women in the communities. Delegates from the health department, ANMs, Sanginis, ASHA and Anganwadi workers also Participated in the event.

Likewise Promoting the women’s International Women’s Day was organized at village Sighorwa, Nautanwa, under the joint aegis of Purvanchal Gramin Seva samiti and Nav Jyoti Mahila Sangharsh Mandal, Nautanwa, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Naila Khan (former President, Municipal corporation)

The Chief Guest Mr. Guddu Khan (President, Municipal corporation) encouraged the women to come forward for their rights & ensured the support whenever needed . Rev. Father Mathews ( Assistant Director, Purvanchal Gramin Seva samiti, Gorakhpur), Rev. Fr. Alex, ( Guardian, Purvanchal Gramin Seva samiti, Branch Nautanwa), Sister Prema (Superior, Holy Cross Convent, Pandua, West Bengal) and Women police Constables attended the program & appreciated PGSS for organizing such event to encourage the women in the society under the Theme of Women’s Day program for the year which focused on :

• Increased participation of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions
• Resolution for environmental protection.
• Lobbying to build a barrier-free panchayat election booth for the differently able people.
• Child protection and prevention of human trafficking & Mission Shakti Abhiyan.

Hundreds of women from dozens of villages attended the program. Kumari Vandana, president of the Youth group was the Master of Ceremony.

Diocesan of Social Work Society On the occasion of International Women’s Day also organized a program where an awareness and group discussion was done in the village secretariat of village Sohni Balai village of Mihimpurwa Block in Baharaich district and Kakori in district Lucknow. D.S.W. S. currently initiating, the anti-human trafficking program and is working in various communities of Baharaich and Lucknow districts, in which context, awareness programs and many problems at the community level were discussed in many communities, the coordinator discussed the rights of women. Talking about human trafficking, equal pay for equal work, right to safety at work, right to disagreement, and said that human trafficking is the second most profitable trade in the world. If a person is lured by seduction or forced to move from one place to another and to be held hostage, not paying wages in lieu of work comes under the category of human trafficking. It is necessary to avoid unsafe migration, whenever you go with someone somewhere, it is important that you get complete information about that person and work and must inform the Panchayat leader who is the influential & prominent person of your village. At the same time, highlighting domestic violence, child labour, child marriage the participants were motivated to raise their voice for their rights, on this occasion Principal of the School administered the oath from the guardians that they will not do any kind of discrimination among the girl child & also they will allow them to study with providing equal nutrition & equal opportunities to work & to Play. The event ended up with a vote of thanks to all Participants from the Community & Organizers. The Day was remarkable for Women’s who were a part of the Workshop, Campaigns & Discussions for their equality in society.