As the saying goes; “You can’t spell challenge without change. If you are going to rise to the challenge, you have to be prepared to change”. Challenge comes from Change and that’s the campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2021.
Resonating with this year’s International Women Day theme #ChooseToChallenge, WomenID Team extends special appreciation for all the women who are rising to fight various social, economic, cultural, and political challenges that create rigid stereotypes and thus prevent women from creating their unique identity.
WomenID honors the fighting spirit of each and every woman who keeps challenging the barriers that come across in the path of justice, equality, peace and progress of women and society at large.
In this Twenty first year of Twenty first century, Women continue to shine in all walks of life. Be it the international political arena where women are leading from the front like Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany; Jacinda Ardern, the present Prime Minister of New Zealand; Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission; Katrín Jakobsdóttir , the Prime Minister of Iceland; and not to forget Kamla Harris, the new Vice President of United States who has not only demonstrated women power but also Chosen to Challenge the prevailing practices by being the first South Asian American Woman to achieve this role.
The galaxy of women stars in the business arena is growing too. Just to name a few of the leading business women from this year- Mary Barra, Chairperson and CEO – The General Motors Company; Ruth Porat, CFO – Alphabet (Google); Sheryl Sandberg, COO –Facebook; Safra Catz, CEO -Oracle; Kylie Jenner, TV star & entrepreneur , Susan Wojcicki, CEO -YouTube; Christine Lagarde, President – European Central Bank; Zia Mody- Co-founder, AZB & Partners; and many more..
Considering the theme #ChooseToChallenge set for the International Women’s Day 2021; we would like to make a special mention of a 23-year-old Indian woman who not only chose to challenge almost all the conventions that she grew up with but she also proved the world that all is possible if you are committed to yourself and your dreams. Her name is Manya Singh,-Miss India 2020 runner-up.
Coming from a very humble family background and being a daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver, Manya has seen the most difficult times from her early childhood. Despite financial struggle and going without food or sleep and walking miles just to save a few rupees; Manya kept chasing her dreams. Instead of going to her school, she had to go out and start working to support her family; yet she remained focused. Since she had no money for books, no resources for grooming, she managed with second hand clothes and books. Just to continue her studies, she worked day & night, became a dishwasher in the evening, mopped the floor at a cafe and worked at a call-centre at night.
Her parents had to mortgage whatever little jewelry they had just to ensure that she pays her exam fee to earn a degree. Besides so many hardships, she had to fight many other challenges like her own relatives discouraging her for being an aspiring girl, getting adverse comments for not being so fluent in English and even more demoralizing remarks for facial features in auditions for more than 10 pageants. But nothing could stop her from believing in her own and chasing her dream. Eventually, surpassing all the challenges, she made everyone proud and won not only the prestigious title of Miss India 2020 runner-up but also won the hearts of millions of people.
Let’s resolve that we will not let challenges hold us back anymore, with our hopes high and faith up, we will surely rise up…Happy Women’s Day ! !
