Every year, on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day and the same sentiment is observed in Bharat also. Streets echo with slogans, social media is flooded with messages, and brands capitalise on the sentiment. But as a Bharatiya woman, I often find myself questioning—does this global narrative truly reflect my heritage, my history, or my identity?
Modern feminism, largely shaped by Western ideals, often ignores cultural and historical contexts. The feminist movements in Europe were deeply anti-church, pushing back against religious dogma that suppressed women. The third-generation feminist wave in the West turned into a movement against traditional family structures and gender roles, painting men as oppressors rather than partners. But is this a narrative that represents Bharatiya women? Must our empowerment come at the cost of alienating the men in our society?
When Bharat gained independence from the shackles of the British in 1947, the idea that a woman needed to fight to be seen as an equal citizen seemed alien to our ethos. Unlike their Western counterparts, Bharatiya women were never made to feel like second-class citizens when it came to political participation. The struggle for women’s voting rights in the West, particularly in the United States, was long and arduous. Suffragettes took to the streets, protested, and endured imprisonment to win the right to vote—a right that Bharatiya women were granted without a fight. No doubt, our history has seen female rulers like Rani Durgavati and Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar who led their people with great wisdom and strength. The inclusion of women in governance, social movements, and literature was not an exception but a norm. So the need to compare us with the women in America seems useless.
On this International Women’s Day, I refuse to let a one-size-fits-all feminism speak in my name
Also, women’s empowerment in Bharat does not need to borrow from Western feminist struggles because we have our legacy of strength. Rani Lakshmibai, Sarojini Naidu and countless others have carved a space for themselves in every sphere of life without needing to be anti-men. In politics, sports, literature, science, and entrepreneurship, Bharatiya women have left an indelible mark.
Our history is replete with figures like Mata Jijabai, who shaped the future of Hindavi Swarajya, and Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar, who was a visionary leader. Savitribai Phule was a pioneer in female education, proving that Indian feminism is about self-empowerment and societal upliftment, not rebellion against men.
What we need to understand is that in Bharat, the feminine has always been revered—not in a tokenistic way, but as a force that sustains and creates. The concept of Shiv and Shakti is central to Sanatana Dharma. Unlike the rigid gender binaries of Western thought, Hindutva acknowledges the interplay of masculine and feminine energies in the cosmic cycle. Shiva is incomplete without Shakti, and Shakti finds expression through Shiva. They are not in competition but in harmony, representing the ultimate balance. This duality finds representation in various aspects of Bharatiya culture. Durga slaying Mahishasura is not a symbol of dominance but of righteousness and the power to protect. Goddess Saraswati represents wisdom, Lakshmi represents prosperity, and Parvati represents love and devotion. These facets of femininity are not limited to one particular type of expression but encompass every aspect of life.
Modern feminism often paints empowerment as a battle against an oppressive system, but Bharatiya darshan teaches us that strength does not mean opposition—it means coexistence. When we celebrate women, we do not do so by diminishing men but by reinforcing the idea of unity in diversity.
Bharat has long embraced the idea that a woman’s strength does not lie in rejecting family structures but in fortifying them. The presence of female sages in ancient texts, the inclusion of women in royal courts, and the wisdom of female scholars like Gargi and Maitreyi showcase that knowledge and power were never denied to women.
Why should we limit the celebration of women to just one day? The reverence for women in Bharatiya civilization is not restricted to a single event or a single protest—it is woven into everyday life.
The rise of Bharatiya women in fields such as space research, finance, athletics, and literature is a testament to a society that recognises their capabilities. Women like Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the ‘Missile Woman of India,’ and Falguni Nayar, who built a billion-dollar business, prove that empowerment is not given—it is demonstrated. Unlike the tokenism of Women’s Day campaigns that often come across as performative, Bharatiya women’s contributions to society are continuous. Whether as homemakers, entrepreneurs, scientists, or artists, Bharatiya women do not need a designated day to assert their significance.
On this International Women’s Day, I refuse to let a one-size-fits-all feminism speak in my name. My heritage has already given me a framework for empowerment—one that sees men as allies, not adversaries. One that does not confine equality to an annual event but recognises it as an inherent principle of life. To truly honour the spirit of womanhood, we must celebrate the power of women every day—not as a Western concept, but as an intrinsic part of our civilisation. Because feminine divinity in Bharat has many days to celebrate, why to restrict ourselves to one single day which has been dictated by the West?
