Gone are the days when women were regarded as incongruous and incompetent, when their aptitude was questioned. These imposing creatures have not left any area untouched now. In such an era, women power is still subjugated by males.

Whether they are proficient or amateurish in a task, women have proved their adroit forte and efficacy. Be it a physical effort or an intellectual endeavour, women have come out unbeaten. Truly, in the present scientific era, women are becoming cognizant, accomplished, responsible and well informed in almost all walks of life. But even today, when women-power needs no introduction, we run across many incidents involving molestations, eve teasing, rapes, murders, mental and physical harassments due to dowry, etc.

Women residing in the rural parts are one of the major victims of such abuses. Reasons are ample – low literacy rate, less awareness, lofty male dominance. And here comes a very obvious question – how many of the rural women are aware that March 8 is celebrated as international women’s day? None, to be honest!

March 8 is a day that rejoices womanhood the world over every year. Leaving few areas and corners, of course! It is, indeed, doted on that women’s male counterparts salute them worldwide on this day for being so very special, imperative and indispensable.

But it would have been even more evocative and meaningful to observe this day or rather realise its magnitude a few hundred years ago when women’s status in the society was literally down in the mouth. If we weigh that age against today’s time, we simply can’t overlook the across-the-board reformation in women’s image. It is there for all to witness and extol. Thanks to wide-ranging education and allied prospects and opportunities, today’s women are not what they were then. In those revolting times, women were not only looked down upon, but their desire for education also remained disgruntled owing to the rampant male dominated customs.

A modern woman pulls off umpteen roles. Be it of a domestic, social, political, scientific or technical nature, she plays a vital role in all fields with absolute excellence. It is a matter of pride that women can stand shoulder to shoulder with men in varied as well as challenging fields like research and development (R&D), design and development, marketing, production, etc. They have embarked on obscure and strenuous jobs and delivered resourcefully in such areas too. Madam Curie (a scientist) and Mother Teresa (a great social worker) are perfect exemplary figures for this.

The present-day women are a lot more educated and also perform manifold roles – of a homemaker, employer, employee, etc. And not to forget, they carry off all their roles with sheer confidence and audacity – all thanks to their inherent skills and apposite sensitivity and planning.

A woman’s success story is woven with her will to sacrifice and compromise when it matters the most and an equally robust strength of mind to guard her morals and ethics in severe state of affairs. A share of the credit for women’s changed status in the society, no doubt, goes to men as well. We should not fail to concede that men, too, are behind the turnaround in women’s image. Apparently, men too have made sacrifices and compromises towards making way for women in areas where they ruled! Had they not made alterations in their approach and outlook, women might not have progressed this much. But then it is men again who upset a woman’s image in the society. Now it’s their call to be eulogised or to be deprecated.

No limitations can imprison 21st century women, as their spirit and thoughts are free. With the materialisation of women power with the advent of the 21st century and their augmented active inputs in information technology (IT) and biotechnology, it is pragmatic to anticipate an absolute woman dominated society by the end of this century.