International Women’s Day at KVK, Wyra on 08-03-2021

International Women's Day is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to take up actions that accelerate gender parity. But as we look into the history, it was in 1908 there was an ongoing critical debate amongst women regarding their oppression and inequality in USA. The campaign for change started to become more vocal when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pays and voting rights. In 1909, the first Women's Day was observed across United States. In 1910 an international conference of working women was held in Copenhagen as proposed by Clara Zetkin, a leader of the Women's Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany. In 1911, International Women's Day was honoured for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19th March. Between 1913 and 1914, women in Russia observed their first Women's Day on February 23rd. Later, it was decided that March 8th can the globally accepted day to celebrate International Women's Day and for the first time in 1975 was celebrated by the United Nations. International Women's Day is not specific to any country, group or organisation but is celebrated across all nations. The day belongs to women everywhere to identify, celebrate and increase visibility of women's achievements. There is a dire need for increased awareness through meaningful narratives, resources and activities for combating gender bias and discrimination. The United Nation decided on the theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. In Indian economy with over 70% of rural households are dependent on agriculture contributing only about 17% to total GDP but providing employment to over 60% of the population. As per Census 2011, of the total female workforce, 55% were agricultural labourers and 24% were cultivators. But, only 12.8% of operational holdings were owned by women reflecting the age-old gender disparity in ownership of landholdings in agriculture. But keeping in view, the role of women in agriculture, Indian Council for Agriculture (ICAR) has given the theme “Women Leadership in Agriculture: Entrepreneurship, Equality & Empowerment” to celebrate their significant contribution to Indian agriculture. KVK, Wyra celebrated this day with 115 anganwadi supervisors, teachers and farm women along with Mrs. M. Vijayanirmala, JDA, Khammam, Dr. K.Kishore, EO, DLDA, Khammam, Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator and Scientists Dr. Jessie Suneetha W, Dr. V. Chaitanya and Mrs. P. S. M. Phanisri. All the speakers reiterated the role of women in agriculture, in households’ activities and as an ever-growing work force. Women of today are breaking the shackles of gender bias and entering in fields previously considered as men’s domain. For the agricultural sector to progress, empowerment of women is as much essential as grooming them to harness their entrepreneurial skills.