A woman. She is a mother, a sister, a wife, a teacher, a friend, a boss, an employee – there is no end to the ways in which she exists. Since time immemorial she has been fighting for her rights, although her importance remains as undeniable as ever. Different versions of her have been worshipped and exploited simultaneously, and it is high time we consider Mars and Venus equal.

It is truly said that if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a family and eventually an entire nation.

Women have played a significant role in bettering the world around us for centuries. From Joan of Arc to Malala Yousafzai, from Maya Angelou to Kalpana Chawla, from Anne Frank to Mother Teresa, women have over and over again proved as the torchbearers of strength and courage.

Around us there are so many women who have contributed as who are contributing immensely to make our lives better each day. Women’s Day is not about the eighth day of March, or about the seminars and conferences we participate in. It is about celebrating womanhood and women’s unmatchable contribution to the creation of humankind every single day. Empowering women is not just about gender equality but it is also a giant step towards global development. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India had said, “You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women.”

Women Empowerment refers to increasing and improving the social, economic, political and legal strength of the women, to ensure equal-right to women, and to make them confident enough to claim their rights. The UN theme for International Women's Day 2014 was ‘Equality for women is progress for all’. For 2015 it was ‘Empowering women, empowering humanity’. For 2016 it was ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’. Women Empowerment also leads to more economic benefits not to the individuals but to the society as well. Women are increasingly participating in the national development process. They with their outstanding performances in various fields are breaking stereotypes and inspiring many other women to do the same. For 2017, the UN theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Be Bold for Change’. It highlights on to call the masses or yourself to put efforts to make a more gender inclusive world. The theme focuses on UN’s 2030 agenda to achieve gender equality, empowerment and human rights of all women, and releasing the true potential of women around the world.

The words of Mary Ellen Iskenderian, the President and CEO of Women’s World Banking sum up so much so simply, “By investing in women, we produce a multiplier effect on the well being of their households and communities. Financial access for all women means a positive change for the world.”