Day after March 08…. Men’s Day????

March 08….

Without being another ordinary day in the calendar, every year, this date is given special attention.

Women’s Day!!! A day to voice for Women’s Rights!!

Every year we hear people yell;

            Freedom for Women!

            Stop Discrimination Against Women!!!

            Women Need Equal Rights!!!

Since 1911 we run behind common themes set out by a particular group of people and scream out requesting “freedom” and “equality”. But as the sun rises the following day on March 9, we completely forget what were we talking the previous day and live the traditional life until March 08 of the following year.

Is there a special requirement to speak of freedom of women, equality for women or discrimination against women in our society???

Ancient Sri Lankan culture has never been discriminative against women, they were given freedom and they were treated equally in the society. Mother is given the prominent place in the family. Even during royal monarchy period women such as Queen Anula and Queen Viharamahadevi have participated in governing the country. The post modern woman has equal access to education, health and employement. She even represents the Parliament and participates in governance. Then why do we need a Women’s Day for Sri Lanka???

Situation of the Sri Lankan woman is different from that of the world. Country’s economy is depending on her strength as the work force in garment industry, plantation sector and migrant work is women. Yet, we have never allocated a day to speak of the problems of garment workers, plantation labourers or migrant workers.

Further it is reported that woman is often a victim of domestic violence. We deliberately avoid speaking of it.

Selective organizations and women groups speak of the above issues on Women’s Day in order to market themselves. Yet, following 09^th of March, they deliberately forget the topic and lead the traditional life.

Even though they witness harassments for women at home, they do not speak of it. Seeing problems of garment workers, migrant workers and plantation workers they remain silent.

If we do not speak of such issues of society at least on Women’s Day, then what is the point of having a day to voice for women? If we simply forget what were preached on March 08 and live as normal as ever during following “Men’s Days” what is the need of spending so much of energy and time to scream for women?

If we know to react at the proper time to persisting problems of women then we will not need a Women’s Day and the rest of 364 days will not be Men’s Days too….