Celebrations of International Women’s Day 2019 Women Development and Child Welfare Department

At the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality, this year the International Women’s Day theme centers the efforts of women and girls, for the women and girls, in the arena of both social and technological innovations by playing a decisive role in emerging sectors. The theme being, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, it is to be made sure that smart solutions are built that go beyond acknowledging the gender gaps and that the needs of men and women are equally addressed. From doing so, we are sure to further the race for gender equality to its finishing line by 2030 as per the Sustainable Development Goals.

So when we talk about innovation, what does it really mean to innovate? While research confirms that women are often the ones who miss out on services and accessibility to resources that eventually affects their rights and well-being, it is important to realize and recognize their ideas, contribution and experiences to equally influence the design and implementation of the innovations that shape our future societies.

Historically, International Women’s Day has been not only about inspiring but also about rising to the common causes. From the millions of women mobilizing for women’s suffrage and labour rights in 1911 when the first International Women’s Day was celebrated, to the demanding of women’s right to vote in the United States in 1920 and driving political change in the Dominican Republic in 1960, and to the day that awareness on women related issue are spread across the world – the World looks a lot different as we know.

 Viziendira Boyi, IAS, Director,  WD & CW Department 
M.Jagadeeshwar , IAS, Principal Secretary, WCD & SC Department

On this International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women around the world who have insisted on a better world and persisted in the face of adversity – women who have not only advanced their rights through innovations but also by standing firm against social evils like Child Marriages. Child marriage is a critical problem in India, and specifically in Telangana, as we know, and it not only deserves our attention but a serious call for planned interventions. This can only be possible if we understand our rights and unite as community members to advocate for the same. Across five rural Indian states, Women’s Peer Groups are working to end child marriage in their communities. In community meetings, these leaders are asking participants to pledge that they won’t have their daughters married underage—or attend such weddings. After the pledging ceremony, they lead rallies in their villages to spread awareness about the negative impacts of child marriage. Such similar initiatives must be collectively taken up by us to put an end to all social evils.

Women Development and Child Welfare Department in collaboration with Department of Language and Culture is celebrating International Women’s Day on 8^th March 2019 at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad at 4:00 pm. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, 21 eminent women of Telangana are receiving “Visishta Mahila Puraskaram”.