Happy Independance Day!

At least as happy as one can be amidst all that’s happening around us, especially to women who are breaking barriers to serve our communities.

 

I don’t want to be too preachy, but I hope of all the Independence Day messages you read, you take a two minute pause after reading this one. To think what you can do to make this a safe place for women to thrive in.

 

Here’s what I will do:

 

1. Object to any casual objectification of women, or ‘locker’ room chats.

2. Provide a safe workplace for women employees while nipping ‘fun’ sexist comments in the bud.

3. Provide equal opportunity to women around me to thrive and have a voice.

4. Take a vocal stand against any form of gender-based violence visible to me.

5. Listen. To all those who work with me. So we can gather constructive feedback and help each other learn and unlearn.

6. Surround myself with women who have perspective on the issue. So I can unlearn some of my biases and better empathize with their issues.

 

While these may sound silly and basic, I think it is time we go back to the basics. Nobody is perfect, but we can all strive to get there together. With discussions, debates, empathy, courage, and intent.

This is my country. Your country. And we cannot normalize such atrocities just because we are too busy with life. Nobody is immune to these, and therefore, everybody has a role to play here. What’s your role going to be?