The International Women’s Day (IWD) was observed at Don Bosco Tech Society (Assisi Convent, Dimapur) on March 10, 2020, celebrating women’s achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres of life. The guest for the day was Ms. Ahimsa Zhimo (Chairman, Beyond Cancer).

Sr. Felicita (Superior, Assisi Convent, Dimapur) said in the opening speech, “Women also play an important role in human progress and have acquired a significant place in the society. They are not all inferior to men, are capable of sharing all the responsibilities of life.” She added, “Men and women are like the wheels of the same carriage and quoted an excerpt from the Islam where women are accorded an equal position to men in the society. This religion upholds the importance of women and has granted them a dignified position, equating men. The sole responsibility of a woman is the continuity of the human race. As a mother, her position is unique from giving birth to a child to bringing up with extreme care. The first school of a child is the lap of the mother. It is quite true that a great man had great mothers.” Sr. Felicita, delivered the above well-prepared speech on the theme of the day ‘Role of Women in Society’. 

Sr. Felicita quoted Napoleon who said, “Give me good mothers and I will give you a good nation.” She is also convinced that the progress of the nation truly depends solely upon the way mothers bring up their children. “If mothers are educated, the whole of society will progress. Women have always played an important role in the progress of a nation,” said the speaker. It was indeed nice to listen to her referring to how in the early days, “in Islam, women worked side by side with men. On the battlefield, they nursed the injured, kept up the supplies, and in certain cases even fought bravely,” said Sr. Felicita. She added, “Florence Nightingale was the woman, who led a very successful campaign for the reforms of hospitals and the nursing profession.” Sr. Felicita continued, “Women had been great saints, scholars, poets, writers, reformers, and administrators. Therefore, these women should be given proper education and training. They should be known what life is and how it should be lived.”

Ms. Ahimsa Zhimo shared about how Women’s Day is celebrated, why we celebrate and honor women on this day each year. She shared a brief history of women’s day said, “Women’s Day is dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres of life.” The day, she added, “Collectively founded by women, to give heed to gender parity and women's rights. Of course, the global celebration of International Women’s Day is a time for reflection of how far women have come up, advocacy for what is still needed, and action plan to continue breaking down barriers.” With over a century of human history, the IWD movement is growing worldwide, centered around unity and strength. Ms. Zhimo shared motivational tips through her lived examples and experiences intending to encourage the participants about how to set their life goals and move forward to have a successful life. She said, “We women, must realize, are very important in society. We play an important role and live a respectable life.” Therefore, “Let the society recognize you and I and thus regard you as important.” She concluded her speech by saying, “Live a priceless life. Live with purpose, filled with joy and love as a beautiful lady of the world.”