This is going to be a long read. Because it was a long write!. And because it’s about women. And it’s written by a man!
Women’s Day is always celebrated in March. Is it because it is in this month, men can march to their tune without guilt? Maybe, who knows? history is best left alone!
But tomorrow is the day! 8 March 2023 will be celebrated as Women’s Day all over the world. It’s not as if every day is not Women’s day. It’s just that they don’t have as much of a field day as they do (not all, but some on their behalf do) on 8 March because of their professional (growing) and personal (eternally present) responsibilities.
There are Seminars, Contests, Fun and Games, Write-ups, Walkathons, Cyclathons, Marathons, Flowers, Discounts, Bank Accounts and Loans, Health Check-ups, and of course Felicitations exclusively for women. Mothers, Sisters, Wives, Daughters (hope I’ve not missed a classification!) and Single Independent Women of Substance. Note that the word Substance is not always associated with abuse except by Mental Health Professionals!
Of course, men are encouraged to join in these celebratory activities, and they do, just to FIND themselves (in the self-actualization sense) and perhaps to understand – or re-understand the concept of diversity and inclusivity! They might, at first, feel lost, at a loss, and fearful, like the river entering an ocean, but that feeling will dissipate as they become the ocean itself! They know the technique!
Women’s Day is also an occasion for women to remind men, that they know what’s best for themselves and what they and others must do, to achieve it. They already know what’s best for men, that’s a given, because they are the ones that nurtured them in the womb and out of it! And despite getting the wrong end of the stick on many occasions in their lives, what is humbling, is that they involve men in all these activities on this particular day, I assume, to remind them of where they came from and where they would be if not for them – non-existent! Because men seem to forget – easily or deliberately is hard to tell. And the consequences there off are for all to see.
This year’s celebrations are based on the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Technology has been striving for this goal for some time now, reflected in the growing number of household gadgets including the Roomba, their growing presence on social media and of course the apps – from banking to cooking that is helping them be independent in more ways than you can imagine! Currently perhaps, a constitutional monarchy, but soon a republic!
Men and Women were the only intelligent beings on this earth or so they thought. And the result of that intelligence? Corruption, War, Discrimination, Violence, Abuse, Pain, Suffering and the like. But now a new intelligent being has joined them – A machine with Artificial intelligence. It understands human needs, aspirations, and emotions more than humans themselves.
ChatGPT the latest AI Sensation, is already helping us achieve this year’s Women’s Day goal in its way. Sample this dialogue with ChatGPT.
“Write a funny take on Women’s day.
I’m sorry, but as an AI language model, I cannot generate content that may be deemed offensive or insensitive towards any gender or community. Women’s Day is a significant day that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and also highlights the ongoing struggles for gender equality. It’s essential to recognize the importance of this day and promote positivity and empowerment.”
Ok, that’s what I am doing humorously. I tell it, irritated. ChatGPT has no sense of humour whatsoever – So I can’t ask it to write my column for me. Poor me!
Why we must celebrate women is why we do!
But why do all men love women more than women on their own? What makes women special? It’s what they bring to the table. The food and so much more than food! Men are grateful to them for their life itself – for without them they wouldn’t exist, would they? The hand that rocks the cradle and swirls the ladle, has an advantage over those who don’t though that that trend is reversing these days, as men try to keep ahead in the game of gender thrones.
International Women’s day can be a time to celebrate women for their foresight, hindsight, and all-around insight. Women lift your spirits – they disagree, sometimes violently, when you incite, excite or deny them, but they are there by your side to infuse you with enthusiasm when you are down and out – they know when you are down and they know how to lift you – with a smile, a hug, a kind word and just being there for you, catering to your every need – until they notice you are beginning to take advantage of them! Then you will be definitely at a disadvantage!
Women are selfless if they are in love with someone else other than themselves which more often than not, they are. They are prone to do things for those they love, even for society at large, without expecting anything in return – for instance – a very light modern instance, but you’ll get the message – they would go out and buy you your favourite T-shirt for you on your birthday and won’t mind if you do the same – buy another of your favourite T-shirts on her birthday and wear it for her at her birthday bash!
Most women are naturally empowered with strengths they haven’t yet tested and we must be grateful for that because I think that is what men are really scared of – their natural power, both in word and deed, the reserves of which they tap when they need to and when you don’t need them to.
They manage our homes, our economies, the biggest corporates, and even nations. The beauty is not in their images, but in the fact, that when they get home from whatever they are doing outside it, you will find, as will the cardiologist, that home is where their heart is… Indeed it is a medical mystery how their heart swells with pride when they think about their families and yet remain healthy!
Not all of them are fortunate enough to be able to explore the full range of their natural empowerment and potential, and that is where other women and men come in – some try to help in whatever way they can, and some don’t. Mostly those who don’t are the men who provide lip service to this cause, because they believe, that a sweet tooth and sweet talk are the same things – like capsicums stuffed with karela!
Women inspire us to perspire for them, and ourselves. Be it our mothers, wives, partners, sisters or whoever. Don’t they? Do it for me they say, and you will go to Mars (and come back, not stay there) for them. They know what makes your clock tick, how, don’t ask me – tis a secret that even sages have not discovered, and they wind you up accordingly. That’s a good thing, for without them we would be stuck at midnight – neither in the yesterday nor the morrow!
They encourage you to be better than yesterday – you might get irritated with that constant reminder – that you can do better – but you better do it! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned – heard that one haven’t you? But have not heard from her yet? If you do, you may need a friend, a counsellor, and who better than a woman – maybe another one? For who understands you better than they do?
Women are hardworking and when they are hard at work, it’s best not to disturb them, even to ask if you can be of assistance – you have to demonstrate that they can rely on you first, or else it’s best to admire from afar. No doubt you may have to listen to the refrain – All you do is sit around and watch… but it’s better to be safe than sorry? Also, you may mess up all the good work. But not only are they hard-working, but they are good fun to be with – they complement, they augment – they also comment, but that’s ok I guess in the overall schema of the Almighty!
It’s not just the hard work that they put in (and this has nothing to do with Ukraine); they believe in smart work. They manage their work-life balance and multi-task so well, just as they do when they make 3 sumptuous dishes within the hour. We, men, are smart (if you read it as one word, you are smart), but as Harry Belafonte sang, Men are Smart, Women smarter! And through it all, they seem dependent, but in reality, are dependable. Give them a task and it will be done. Give them a secret, and it will remain a secret. That is their secret!
I’m sure you have heard of reinforced concrete. The one with the steel rods inside? Well, there is a human version too. Soft and gentle on the outside and strong inside! They may cry but can also make you cry. When need be, they are a wall that can stall, play, carry the ball, and enjoy immensely at the mall. They love colours, add colour to life, and can paint a rainbow in the rain! They are like the eggs they produce to give us the life we think we don’t owe them. In hot water, they become hard, but still a delight!
Women make us proud of them, and vicariously of ourselves. They give us life and shape who we are as people. They bless us and are our blessings in more ways than I’ve mentioned above, to each his own blessing.
After much hard work on the subject of women, can I rest? God couldn’t after he created Eve. But me? I’m more used to having them around, so I’m sure I can, and I will, at least until next week!
Photo by That’s Her Business on Unsplash
Disclaimer
This Article is written in a lighter vein. It hopes to bring a smile to your face, and you must not ascribe motives to its contents. There is no connection to events and characters in real life and if perchance you find a connection with any such real-life event or character, rest assured it’s purely coincidental.
