We cannot strengthen a world which is liveable if it walks only on single foot continued to be abandoned by obscure prejudices, with half the ability, expertise and energy available. Globally, women serve as a powerful catalyst for change. Their vast talent, skills, EQ and entrepreneurial spirit are a collective source of incredible resources that should be tapped, developed and grasped for the overall benefit and advancement of the nation and on a larger scale the world. Recently, Aude Zieseniss de Thuin, President and Founder, The Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, honoured women by words of appreciation and acceptance. Additionally, the appreciation of the need for gender equality has led to the enshrining of favourable principles in the Indian Constitution through the post independence political history to ensure the engagement of women at all levels of national decision making. And gladly, women never failed to make us feel proud; they have proven themselves in every situation, confidently handling all the scenarios.

An Empowered woman, empowers the nation-Atishi Singh

Women are the bedrock of a nation; strong pillars who hold the strength and emotions of the country. It would be unfair to name few women as every woman in her place has played a vital role. But the world believes in results; actions speak louder than words here. For instance, Atishi Singh, is an Indian politician, educator, political activist and MLA from AAP, Delhi. She framed the policy to run schools in New Delhi with a thought of shaping nation from the base, i.e. education. Her biggest contribution to the Delhi’s education system was “Mission Buniyaad”– a three-month-long campaign with the aim of ensuring basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills which was communicated to all students from grades III to IX.

Atishi is credited with playing a major role in the modifications of educational institutions in Delhi. According to the reports, she has made immense contributions in improving the infrastructure of Delhi government schools, by forming school management committees (SMC) under the Right to Education Act and providing them funds, implementing regulations to hinder private schools from hiking fees arbitrarily, and establishing the ‘happiness’ curriculum. She had been instrumental in pooling funds for schools from the financial creamy layer of New Delhi, and utilising the funds in giving extra preparatory classes for students at various levels.

SMC was pre-established with 75% parent’s involvement. But it was never as active as it is now. She conducted elections, empowered the committee and brought them under a Delhi-wide Whatsapp network and this has resulted in the constant input, the government is now aware about the problems being faced by the schools. This is something that hit the system differently. Schools are now empowered to regularly inspect the quality of mid-day meal via school visits. These simple yet momentous activities as a whole grabbed the attention of parents too. Not only students and parents, teachers are also given complete attention, in the system implemented by Atishi. Teacher’s trainings are arranged within the state and abroad for betterment of the city and the nation. A red carpet arrangement is made for teachers to boost their confidence. This makes them feel special and hence encouraged. These simple steps make the teachers consider themselves as an important part of the nation. Atishi and her contributions are undeniable. Her every action resonates Nelson Mandela’s idea that “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD”. Atishi Singh in New Delhi used the indication that education can indoctrinate and liberate the future generations politically.

A right woman for the right post-KK Shailaja- a top thinker

K K Shailaja, Health minister of Kerala, is being appreciated throughout the world. It is interesting to note that the western media which is generally biased against Indian developments had to turn its head and note that the efforts made by her had larger impacts than the famous and charismatic New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern during the Covid crisis. British Magazine Prospect named Shailaja as Top Thinker 2020. The magazine praised her handling of the 2018 outbreak of the deadly Nipah disease. This achievement was commemorated in a film, Virus. Women have the inherent quality to bridge gaps between groups. This inborn, bridge-building leadership was used by KK Shailaja to normalise relations between communities in India after the Christ church mosque massacre of New Zealand.

Her constant concern and activity for the state cannot be doubted. In January, When Covid-19 was all about “a China only story”, she not only perfectly foresaw its unavoidable arrival, but also completely grasped the hints and imputations. She instantly grasped and implemented the WHO’s full “test, trace and isolate” drill in the state. A complete grip over the airports, and containing the initial cases to arrive on Chinese flights was a determining act. Her instinctive and accurate concern was appreciated globally by her being identified as “A right woman in the right place in 2020”. Her successful model of COVID management grabbed the attention of whole world and designated her as ‘corona virus slayer’ and ‘rock star health minister’ in an article published in ‘The Guardian’, a British newspaper.

Her unflinching love, concern and honesty to keep the nation safe and developing are a treasure for her home state as well as India. She is an appropriate example summarising through her actions that a woman is a care-taker, a loyal committed soul whether it’s a house, society or nation.

Woman: A Real Guardian

Mahua Moitra, is a member of parliament in the 17^th Lok Sabha from West Bengal. This woman shakes the Parliament whenever she speaks. Every time she voices for the people, she never fails to leave a benchmark. The recent tweets show that her speech sends shivers down the spines of the truculent bigots and chest thumpers and gives hope to the rational and reasonable ones. She boldly questions the government for their lack of humility as well as over the abysmal state of the decimated economy. In the Lok Sabha, her main concern and focus was on Citizenship Amendment Act and the government’s high-handedness in dealing with the nationwide protests that the legislation had activated.

Mahua Moitra, a politician herself, had filed 3 petitions in the Supreme Court against the social media and surveillance tactics of the Centre (against UIDAI, Ministry of Home Affairs asking for stay on surveillance of computers). She cleared her thought behind her act in the public domain. She made it clear that the aim was not to gain points politically. Her constituency includes people who are unable to understand the ramifications of the invasion of data privacy. That proves her genuine intent behind her actions. She agrees and stresses that it is a blatant violation of an individual’s privacy rights.

Mahua Moitra is a leader to watch out for and look upto. Every time she raises her voice against injustice, for her concerns for the – farmers, Indian army, human equality and rights , subjugation and controlling of mass media, GDP contraction and the increasing rate of daily infections the country is recording in Covid cases (which has gone beyond 80k COVID cases per day recently). Present parliament has mostly vicious, uncouth, hypergonadal and vacuous orators with little material. In a Lok Sabha where educated, scholarly, rational, and well-informed leaders have diminished in numbers, Moitra’s presence feels like a breath of fresh air over a debilitated tavern. Her presence always makes a great sense.

In one of her speech she had rightly said that “Sabhi ka khoon hai shaamil yahan ki mitti me..Kisi ke baap ka hindustan thodi hai?”.  This hit the nation hard, and the people who felt cheated by the rabble rousing regime showered more love and respect for the lady. She symbolises a no non-sense attitude and rationality. Thankfully she also possesses the ability to handle the responsibility of the people she represents in the national parliament.

With women in the lead, countries and world can be a safer and better place

What would be the condition of the countries and the world if majority of top political positions are held by women? Nobody probably has ever analysed the thought behind this. But there have been proofs of how women are standing in the nation and around the world for the people and their greater good. It has been evident in the case of the Covid19 handling in women led countries like New Zealand, Taiwan, Germany and Switzerland and in the Indian case of KK Shailaja. It was never about the gender, it was all about boosting the confidence of a spirit when one was about to lose hope. The success of these countries proved the mettle of women in leadership roles in normal and crisis times. Perhaps it is not wishful thinking that if only there were more women at global leadership roles there would be minimal, if at all any incidents of wars. In present scenario, it might not be possible due to the inherent biases and various barriers and glass-ceilings present for the women in a range of work domains. All we need as of now is to empower women, appreciate their efforts and thank their dedication. It was us who had always doubted the strengths and capabilities of women. Their efforts have always been undeniable. India is blessed with great souls who work selflessly for the nation; we just need to hold the same platform, same respect and same appreciation. Women’s political participation have resulted in substantial gains for democracy, including greater focus on citizen’s needs, raised cooperation across party and ethnic lines and lastly a more durable future.