Why August 26 Is Known As Women's Equality Day And Here's Why India Needs To Celebrate It

Not long ago women faced tremendous barriers as they sought opportunities that would set them on an equal footing with men. Going back a mere quarter century, inequality between women and men was widely apparent - in university classrooms, in the workplace, and even in homes.

The battle for equality has long been for women worldwide. In honour of women's hardships in obtaining their fair share and annually observed Women's Equality Day on August 26.

Women's Equality Day 2022 | Unsplash

This year, the USA celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, securing for women the right to vote.

Several women's organisations celebrate this day all over the country and work hard to provide equal opportunities to women in education and employment.

Why August 26 is known as Women's Equality Day?

Women's Equality Day 2022 | Stock Image

While many of us are aware of International Women¡¯s Day, which is celebrated every year on March 8, Women¡¯s Equality Day remains a lesser-known day, as it is celebrated on August 26 in the United States of America to commemorate the nineteenth amendment to its Constitution.

The nineteenth amendment to the US constitution was passed by the US Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, and guarantees all American women their right to vote.

Women's Equality Day 2022 | Twitter

During the 50th anniversary of the nineteenth amendment on August 26, 1970, the National Organisation for Women (NOW) called for a ¡°strike for equality,¡± a nationwide demonstration by women in favour of equal rights.

Women's Equality Day 2022 | Getty Images

Richard Nixon, the 37th US President, officially declared the date as women's rights day, becoming the first president to do so. Since then, every US President has issued a proclamation declaring August 26 as Women¡¯s Equality Day.

Why India too needs to celebrate Women¡¯s Equality Day?

Over the years, women are treated unequally in all spheres of life including their homes and workplaces. Pertinent women¡¯s issues like safety, equal pay, sexism and healthcare are often brushed under the carpet. It is not hyperbole to say that equality for women doesn¡¯t exist even in theory even in the 21st century. Last few decades, women¡¯s equality has come to be recognised as a global issue and Women's Equality Day is the way to put this major issue on the global stage.

Women's Equality Day 2022 | bread.org

The government of India gave its women the right to vote since we got Independence but there are many areas where the effort for making equal opportunities in society for them seemed to wane. Not going so far, there are a handful of women who represent a large section of society in the Parliament.

Like the United States, India also needs to celebrate Women¡¯s Equality Day to acknowledge that there is an endemic issue when it comes to the rights of women in India where girls are still treated unfairly by society in the name of culture and tradition.

If we want to grow our nation we need to give equal opportunity to women. Women¡¯s economic empowerment boosts productivity and increases economic diversification and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes.

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