From centuries of oppression to silent sacrifice in everyday life, Justice Markandey Katju reflects on the resilience of women and the long struggle for true emancipation.
Tomorrow, 8th March, is International Women’s Day.
On this occasion, I send my greetings to women throughout the world, particularly those in the Indian subcontinent.
Though women constitute about half of the human population, they have usually been oppressed throughout history. While most humans have faced oppression from their rulers, women have often endured double oppression — both from rulers and from men in society.
For centuries, women were denied education and many other opportunities, and were confined to their homes. This prevented them from developing their full potential. Even today, people like the Taliban in Afghanistan oppress women and deny them education.
I have discussed this issue in greater detail in the article.
The Unsung Heroes of Society
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I salute the brave women of the world, particularly those of the Indian subcontinent, whom I regard as our true heroes.
Most people hero-worship famous political leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Lenin, or brilliant military commanders like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon. I too admire many of them.
However, my greater heroes are those who remain anonymous.
In particular, I salute the brave women of the Indian subcontinent who selflessly and quietly dedicate themselves to feeding their families and managing their homes on modest incomes earned by their husbands or through their own work.
These women perform back-breaking labour throughout the day — washing clothes, cooking, caring for children, and maintaining their homes. Many also contribute to the family income by working outside the home.
It is estimated that about 57% of Indian women are anaemic, indicating that many do not receive adequate nourishment.
Despite this, many women ensure that their children and husbands eat first, often sacrificing their own needs.
Should we not admire such women?
I regard them as our real heroes.
As I mentioned in the article above, IQ tests have shown that women are intellectually equal to men. Yet they continue to face discrimination and oppression in many societies.
It is the people’s struggle — culminating, I believe, in a historical people’s revolution in India within the next 10–20 years — that will establish a just social and political order where women will be truly emancipated.
Women in Revolutions
Indeed, in the French Revolution of 1789 and the Russian Revolution of 1917, women played a crucial role.
Women’s march to Versailles 1789 illustration
One example is the famous March of the Paris women to Versailles in October 1789.
On March 8, 1917, International Women’s Day, thousands of Russian women in Petrograd launched mass protests against bread shortages, economic misery, and the war.
This “revolution from below” saw women workers leaving factories and demanding “Bread” and “Down with the Tsar”. These protests triggered the February Revolution of 1917, which forced the Tsar to abdicate and eventually led to the October Revolution later that year.
This great contribution of Russian women to the success of the revolution was recognised by Lenin, who declared March 8 as International Women’s Day in 1922.
A Poet Ahead of His Time
I conclude by quoting verses from the great Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, who wrote between 1908 and 1910 advocating powerfully for women’s emancipation — at a time when such ideas were almost unheard of globally, placing him far ahead of his time.
“Gummiyadi Gummiyadi Nadumughudum Kulungida thaikotti Gummiyadi”
“Dance, oh friend, dance. Let the playing of dandiya shake and awaken the entire nation. Celebrate our emancipation from the ghosts that bound us for centuries. Those who believed educating women would harm society are gone. Those strange men who wanted women locked inside homes have met their downfall. Friends, let us celebrate the emancipation of women.”
“Pudhumaip Penn” (The New Woman)
“This world will excel in knowledge and wisdom when men and women are treated as equals. Courageous women will soon destroy the tradition of seclusion.”
“Pengal Viduthalaik Kummi” (Women’s Liberation Song)
“Those who considered it sinful for women to touch books have vanished. The absurd men who wished to confine women indoors now hang their heads in shame.”
From “Murasu”
“Blinding one eye spoils your vision; similarly, preventing women’s education damages the world. Educating women will automatically remove the backwardness engulfing society.”
“Pattankkal Aazhvadum Sattankkal Seivathum Paarinil Penkal Nadatha Vanthom”
“Women are now attaining degrees, making laws, and governing the world.”
Women of the world — particularly those of the Indian subcontinent — I salute you. 
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Also Read:
Subtle Prejudices: Sexism in Boardrooms, Bureaucracy and Public Spaces
Markandey Katju
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
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