Opinion | International Women’s Day & Inspire Inclusion: Indian Army’s Inspirational Character.

Historical Background
International Women’s Day is an annual event celebrated on March 8th to honour women’s achievements and to promote gender equality globally. The origins of this day can be traced back to National Women’s Day in the United States, which was established in February 1909 to remember the 1908 strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.
The following year, at the second International Conference of Working Women in Denmark, Clara Zetkin, a German women’s rights activist, proposed that March 8th should be celebrated as International Women’s Day to amplify women’s voices in their pursuit of equal rights and to promote peace. Her proposal was unanimously supported by female attendees from 17 countries, including Finland’s first three female Members of Parliament.
In March 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies to advocate for women’s right to vote, work, and end discrimination. Since then, the day has become a national holiday in many countries around the world, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia.
In 1975, the United Nations marked International Women’s Day for the first time to promote women’s rights and gender equality. The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2021 was “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women and girls, who have faced increased gender-based violence, unpaid care work, and job losses. The theme recognised women’s crucial role in shaping a more equal and sustainable world and calls for women’s equal participation and leadership in decision-making, including in politics, business, and public life.
On March 8th, many organisations, governments, and individuals celebrate the day by organising events, seminars, concerts, and campaigns to raise awareness of women’s issues and to advocate for gender equality. Women often receive gifts and flowers on this day, and some countries offer discounts or free admission to museums and cultural events. In some countries, women take the day off from paid and unpaid work to protest against gender inequality and discrimination. International Women’s Day is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and gender equality and a call to action to promote a more just and inclusive world for all.
Indian Army’s Socio-Ethical Dynamics
From 7th March 2024 to 10th March 2014, the Indian Army celebrated International Women’s Day based on the theme: Inspire Inclusion(sab ko saath le chalo). The theme itself indicates how the Indian Army wants its Indian pluralistic society to thrive particularly women of our Indian society. The celebration lasted for three days in which programmes were deliberated on health, education, saving and providence.  Inspiring inclusion is a crucial goal in today’s world. Inclusion is to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, where everyone feels valued and respected. It means accepting differences and embracing diversity, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities for all.
The concept of inclusion is a crucial element in fostering a sense of belonging and community, which is vital for individual growth and development. When individuals feel that they are included, they are more likely to engage in productive and creative activities. Moreover, they are more inclined to collaborate on shared goals. Therefore, inclusion is a fundamental aspect of any organization or community that aims to create a supportive and conducive environment for its members.
The act of inspiring inclusion begins with acknowledging and celebrating differences. This involves recognizing that each individual is unique and possesses valuable contributions. To this end, it necessitates the creation of spaces that are conducive to everyone sharing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas comfortably. To inspire inclusion, we must adopt a deliberate approach in our actions. We must make a conscious effort to connect with individuals who are different from us, seek out opportunities to understand their experiences and perspectives, listen to their stories, and empathize with their struggles.
It is also crucial to challenge our own biases and assumptions. We all have implicit biases that influence our perceptions and behaviours. To inspire inclusion we must recognise our biases and work to overcome them. We must be open-minded and willing to learn from others.
Another critical aspect of inspiring inclusion is creating a culture of respect and acceptance. We need to be intentional in our language and behaviour, ensuring that we do not inadvertently exclude or offend anyone. We must also actively challenge discriminatory behaviour and language and create consequences for those who engage in it.
The promotion of inclusive practices necessitates the creation of opportunities that enable active participation and contribution from all individuals. This includes removing barriers that hinder access to education, employment, and other opportunities, as well as fostering environments that facilitate growth and success for all.
In essence, inspiring inclusion is vital in the establishment of a better world. This involves the acknowledgement and celebration of diversity, the dismantling of barriers, and the creation of opportunities for all to partake and achieve success. By recognizing and challenging inherent biases, whilst promoting a culture of respect and acceptance, inspiration for inclusion can be imbued to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.