Learn to respect women, say celebs

Richa Chadha: I wish that people in this country, men and women, would start treating women as human beings, at par with men, and not just as baby-vending machines, unpaid household workers, dowry bringers and objects for sexual gratification. To make life better for women in India, Indian women must get courageous and vocal about their problems, and society as well as politicians and the law enforcers must become compassionate and firm.

Taapsee Pannu: I wish this Women’s Day we have women stand for one another. Instead of requesting men to help make a difference for us, let’s realise our own potential and help ourselves. Realise that there is nothing that we can’t do and it’s only a matter of self-realisation. Don’t become a hurdle for another woman or a reason for her to feel dejected, instead help her to raise herself from the shackles of time and chauvinism. 

Sara Khan: Women don’t have to fight for equality. We are not equal to men, we are higher than them. By fighting for equality we are lowering our stand! We are the strength and power behind our fathers, husband and children we are the driving force behind our family. We have it all and have to fight for nothing! We have the power and strength to achieve everything we want with love. What we do have to fight for or rather fight with is our own battle that takes place in our head. Let us not allow our mind to believe that we are inferior in anyway!

Sophie Choudry: Women in India need respect first and foremost. They need to be given respect by men as individuals at home and at the workplace. They have every right to get an education, to wear what they want without being judged. Women also need to feel safe, that for me is the biggest responsibility of our government, to make sure women are protected and feel free to live their lives without fear. 

Tina Desai: I feel that the best empowerment is knowledge. If the girl child is educated, she can get a job, and an income. That empowers her, gives her confidence, an opinion, respect and better ability to stand up and support herself. I feel education is the answer to a lot of problems that plague our society. This Women’s Day, I’d like to see efforts made in that direction. Maybe subsidised education for poor families is a solution.

Mishti Chakraborty: I think the primary need for the women in India is self-realisation and respect. They should learn to be proud of their existence. The next most important thing is of course education because it’s the only means of liberation, enlightenment and economic independence for women. Inequality exists at all levels. No matter how much we pledge for equality, our society still remains gender biased. So, the first change that I would like to see in future is the eradication of this gender discrimination.