Little by little, we're seeing a shift in the way the world looks at — and appreciates — women, but let it be known that the road to true gender equality remains long. When it feels like the odds are stacked against women and their fellow females, they lean on other strong women for much-needed encouragement and hope that brighter days are indeed ahead. Every day, women keep chipping away at the ever-present glass ceiling. More women than ever hold political decision-making posts worldwide. In 2023, the comedy film Barbie — directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie — shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first movie solely directed by a woman to become the biggest hit movie of this year. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, CEO of HCL Corporation & Chairperson, HCL Technologies, who is responsible for all strategic decisions for the $12 billion technology company, ranks number 6 on the list of youngest women in the Forbes’ World’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
Women globally have come a long way. To truly include women means to openly embrace their diversity of race, age, ability, faith, body image, and how they identify. Worldwide, women must be included in all fields of endeavour.
Inspire inclusion
The Women In Conversation is an annual panel discussion organised by Asian Voice in association with the Royal Air Force to celebrate International Women’s Day. It will be held on 11 March 2024 at Edwardian I, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate. This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and the moderator and panellists will share their stories - expertise, experiences, challenges they faced and practical tips on how to inspire and influence.
In our annual International Women’s Day coverage, Asian Voice brings stories and glimpses from within the lives of some incredibly talented British Asian women. Entrepreneur Rupa Popat talks about her entrepreneurial journey, investing in women and the need for diversity in the field. Priya Guha MBE said it’s all about “innovation inspiring inclusion”. While South Asian playwright and screenwriter, Sonali Bhattacharya spoke to us about mainstream depictions' lack the depth and complexity of brown women's experiences, Sushmita Pati, the Artistic Director and CEO of Kala The Arts, talked about Odissi's portrayal of femininity, challenges faced by men in classical dance, and the significance of supporting women in the field and Mamta Singhal MBE spoke about women in STEM. Dr Shriti Pattani offered her insight into the issues faced by women in the workforce and all that can be done to support them. Lubna Kerr explained the status of women in comedy, the stereotypes and challenges involved and what they bring to the table. Sandeep Mahal, Interim Co-Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) talked about leadership roles within the theatre industry.
While we say “the future is female” as a personal reminder to ourselves that each of us has a voice, and that we must own it. We have heard critics of the Black Lives Matter movement say “all lives matter”.
Dr Nikita Kanani MBE, GP, St John’s Medical Visiting Professor, School of Medicine, University of Sunderland summed up the importance of inclusion on International Women’s Day and told Asian Voice, “As a GP, mother, and senior NHS leader, I am continuously inspired by the resilience and strength of women in navigating diverse challenges, from health disparities to socioeconomic barriers. International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of fostering inclusivity across all spheres of society. In recognising the multifaceted impact of factors such as health, conflict, and economic dynamics on women, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering and advocating for gender equality. Let us unite in amplifying women’s voices, dismantling barriers, and creating a more inclusive world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil her potential.”
Gender parity is still far off
However, gender parity is still far off, according to the 2023 edition of the IPU-UN Women's Map of Women in Politics. Going down memory lane, last year, according to UN Women, as of January 1, 2023, 11.3% of countries had women Heads of State and 9.8% had women Heads of Government, marking an increase from a decade ago. Europe led with the highest number of countries led by women. Women also held key roles in the environment, public administration, and education, but men still dominated economic, defence, justice, and home affairs portfolios. The proportion of women Speakers of Parliament rose to 22.7%.
Control over their bodies
France has become the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution. In a message to the world, the nation announced, “We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you, and no one can decide for you.” President Emmanuel Macron described the move as "French pride" that had sent a "universal message". On the contrary, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the right to abortion upheld for decades - the court's five-decade-old decision that guaranteed a woman's right to obtain an abortion. Paradoxically, in India, a developing nation, where women still grapple for their safety, in a welcome move, the Nirbhaya rape case brought several anomalies in the legal system to light and led to significant changes. The Criminal Amendment Act, of 2013 (Anti-Rape Act), introduced new offences like stalking, acid attacks, and voyeurism under the definition of rape.
The world has progressed in how its women are viewed, included and treated, but we are far from an egalitarian dream. Having access to safety and security, as well as control over their bodies, is still subjective.
Safety at stake, globally
The lead detective in the Sarah Everard murder case revealed to the BBC documentary, her shock upon discovering that the killer, Wayne Couzens, was a police officer. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin recounts the moment she broke the news to her boss. This revelation is part of a new BBC documentary that aired on Tuesday. Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, abducted, raped, and murdered Everard in London in 2021. Detectives uncovered his involvement in other crimes, including indecent exposure. Goodwin's team confronted Couzens at his home in Kent, and as they prepared to question him, a startling revelation came to light, emphasising the magnitude of the case. Couzens' heinous actions drew attention to the issue of violence against women and girls. He received a whole-life prison sentence, ensuring he will never walk free.
Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham and a former home secretary wrote in The Times, “We must treat this week as another call for action, to accelerate the delivery of reforms, to increase support for those affected by violence against women, and to galvanise us all to play our part to change attitudes in society, in our police and throughout our institutions. There can be no better way to honour the memory of Sarah Everard and the lives of the many other victims of violence against women.”
But, when it comes to women’s safety across the globe, the paradox continues. Economically empowered Indian women are reshaping the travel industry. From solo adventures to exotic destinations, they demand tailored products and services. Women now drive 80% of travel decisions, influencing a shift in attitudes towards female travel. This trend led to a 230% increase in women-focused travel companies. Yet, in an unfortunate event, the alleged gang rape of a Brazilian-Spanish tourist in India's Jharkhand state sparked widespread outrage. The 28-year-old woman and her husband, on a motorbike tour, were attacked in Dumki district. Four men were arrested, with three more sought. The couple, having travelled extensively in Asia, posted a video detailing the assault on Instagram, which garnered significant attention. Despite language barriers, they sought medical help, leading to an investigation supported by the Brazilian and Spanish embassies. The chief of India's National Commission for Women, Rekha Sharma's response to a journalist's account of sexual aggression in India drew criticism for victim-blaming. Amidst renewed conversations on sexual violence in India, solidarity poured in for the couple, highlighting the urgent need to address such atrocities globally.