International Women’s Day 2023, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.” This Day is an occasion to celebrate the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, remembering the contribution of women stalwarts towards gender equality, justice, and dignity.

Indian Social Institute witnessed threefold celebrations on the occasion of International Women’s Day in collaboration with St. Aloysius Collage Cox Town Bangalore. Dr. Fr. Joseph Xavier SJ Director, ISI-B, Dr. Madhavi Reddy Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Ms. Monica Anthony, Principal St. Germaine’s PU College were the guests of honour.  Fr Joseph Xavier appreciated women and their role in all walks of life. Dr. Madhavi Reddy Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist gave a very insightful talk about women’s health highlighting medical problems faced by women and how to combat them. There were around 300 students and some parents of the students.

At 4.30pm, the institute in collaboration with CSOs and women domestic workers honoured Ms. Sharada Siddi, Sub-inspector of police, Ashok Nagar who has achieved a great milestone in her life. Ms Sharada shared about her life struggles and how she came up in life despite all odds. Ms. Kathyaini Chamaraj, Executive Trustee Civic Bangalore, and Ms. Margaret Sampath, Executive  Director Sichrem, joined Sharada and shared their dreams and aspirations for women’s empowerment. Ms. Faridha and Ms. Selvi from ISI and Ms. Violet and Ms. Sophia shared their life stories, their struggles and achievements as women and how the institute and different organisations supported them. About 40 women participated which included women staff from Indian Social Institute, and Sichrem.

Later, at 7 pm, we celebrated women’s day with about 80 women in a nearby slum, at Nethaji Nagar. Fr. Francis Balaraj, Fr. Selvin Raj, Mr. Nani Babu from the institute along with Mrs. Kanchana from Civic Bangalore were present.  

“Women in society still face discrimination, harassment, and violence in their daily life, both at home and in the workplace. We must continue to fight for a world where all women are treated with respect and dignity, their voices are heard and valued, and women have equal access to opportunities and resources”, was the core message of all celebrations.

Sr. Lilly JMJ

Programme Facilitator, Kerala Unit