Public Health Day (English): International Women's Day

Theme: Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls

A (Dr. Nikita): Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if every woman had the same opportunities, safety, and respect as men? What if every girl could grow up knowing that her education matters, her health matters, and her voice matters? Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Sangyaan Podcast, an initiative by the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society. I’m Dr. Nikita. Today, March 8, people across the world are observing International Women’s Day — a day to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in every sphere of life. But it is also a day to pause and reflect on an important question: how far have we truly come in achieving equality for women and girls?

B (Ritika): Hi everyone, I’m Ritika. And this year’s global theme, announced by the United Nations, is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” These three words carry a powerful message. Because gender equality is not just about celebrating women’s achievements once a year. It is about ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live with dignity, safety, opportunity, and respect.

A: Exactly. When we talk about rights, we are referring to the basic freedoms every human being deserves — the right to education, the right to work, the right to safety, and the right to make decisions about their own lives. Over the years, progress has certainly been made. Many more girls today are going to school, women are entering leadership positions, and conversations around equality are becoming stronger. But the reality is that many women around the world still do not enjoy the same legal rights and opportunities as men.

B: In fact, according to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report, women globally have only about 64 percent of the legal rights that men have. This affects important areas of life such as employment opportunities, property ownership, financial independence, and protection from discrimination.

A: If we look at India, the picture shows both progress and challenges. India’s female literacy rate has improved significantly, reaching about 70 percent according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). However, many women still face barriers in employment and leadership roles. For example, women’s labour force participation in India is around 37 percent, meaning that a large proportion of women remain outside the workforce despite having the skills and education to contribute.

B: And gender inequality is not only a social or economic issue — it is also a public health issue. For instance, NFHS-5 data shows that nearly one in three women in India has experienced some form of spousal violence. Experiences like these affect not just physical safety but also mental health, economic independence, and access to healthcare.

A: Exactly. And this is where the second word of the theme becomes important — justice. Having rights written into laws is important, but justice means those rights must actually be protected and enforced. Women must feel safe reporting violence, discrimination, or harassment. They must have access to legal systems that support them and ensure fair treatment.

B: And that brings us to the third word in this year’s theme — action. Real change does not happen through awareness alone. It happens when governments, institutions, communities, and individuals actively work to remove barriers and create equal opportunities.

A: In India, several government initiatives are working toward this goal. Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to improve the survival, education, and empowerment of girls. Health programs under the National Health Mission focus on improving maternal and child health services and ensuring access to healthcare for women across the country.

B: Another important initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides clean cooking fuel to women from low-income households. This may sound like a simple intervention, but it has significant health benefits. It reduces exposure to indoor air pollution, which is linked to respiratory illnesses among women who traditionally spend long hours cooking with solid fuels.

A: These initiatives highlight an important idea — that improving women’s lives requires solutions across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and social protection.

B: Let’s think about a simple example. Imagine a young girl in a rural community who wants to continue her education. If she is supported, she goes to school, develops skills, and eventually becomes financially independent. But if she is forced to leave school early or denied opportunities, the impact is not only on her life. It affects her family’s well-being, her children’s future, and even the development of her community.

A: Exactly. Research from organizations like UN Women consistently shows that when women have equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, entire societies benefit. Families become healthier, economies grow stronger, and future generations have better opportunities.

B: So gender equality is not just a women’s issue — it is a development issue, a public health issue, and a human rights issue. When women thrive, families thrive. And when families thrive, communities and nations grow stronger.

A: At the same time, achieving equality also requires challenging everyday stereotypes and social norms that limit opportunities for women and girls. Sometimes change begins with simple actions — encouraging girls to pursue education, supporting women in leadership roles, or questioning unfair practices that have existed for generations.

B: And perhaps most importantly, it means recognizing that everyone has a role to play. Governments can create policies. Organizations can build inclusive workplaces. Communities can support women’s leadership. And individuals can speak up for fairness and respect in everyday life.

A: So on this International Women’s Day, let us remember that Rights. Justice. Action. are not just powerful words — they are commitments. Commitments to building a world where every woman and every girl has the freedom and opportunity to reach her full potential.

B: A world where equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality.

A: Thank you for listening to this episode of the Sangyaan Podcast.

B: And on this International Women’s Day, let us continue working together — for equal rights, fair opportunities, and a more inclusive future for all women and girls.

A: Happy International Women’s Day.

References:

• United Nations – International Women’s Day 2026 Theme: Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls
• World Bank – Women, Business and the Law Report
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India
• UN Women – Global reports on gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Government of India – Official information on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, National Health Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana