I was brought up in a relatively conservative environment in North India. During my childhood and youth, the celebration of women’s power was deeply ingrained in festivals. For example, women deities were worshiped during the nine days of Navaratri, and Goddess Lakshmi was revered during Deepavali.
In our middle-class homes, women were considered the undisputed queens of the household. They wielded significant power in managing family affairs and raising children. They were also entrusted with financial control, managing the household budget, which often constituted a major portion of a middle-class family’s earnings. However, an exception to this was households where alcoholism prevailed—there, women constantly struggled. Sadly, despite numerous laws and policies, this continues to be a challenge for lower middle-class women.
Looking into our epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, the true power of women manifested when their status changed from queens to ordinary women. Neither Sita nor Draupadi was a queen when their mistreatment became the root cause of the Dharma Yuddha (the war to restore righteousness). This happened because, although women were primarily perceived as creators, protectors, and nurturers in Indian culture, they were also given the right to acquire Vedic knowledge, receive education, gain wisdom, and participate in intellectual discourse—evident from scholars like Gargi, Maitreyi, and Lopamudra.
Women also excelled in bravery and military skills, as seen in Goddess Durga, Chandi, and Usha. They defied stereotypical roles when the need arose. During peaceful times, women held powerful roles at home and were respected in society. However, their authority weakened when their safety and security were threatened by external aggressors. Despite these challenges, Indian culture has consistently celebrated women’s power, even at the ordinary level.
In this blog, we will examine the power of an ordinary woman in the contemporary context.
The Status of Women in Contemporary India: A Confused Reality
In today’s Indian society, the status of women appears conflicted.
Every year, on International Women’s Day, the world celebrates the achievements of trailblazing women—CEOs, political leaders, scientists, and activists who have shattered glass ceilings. While their contributions are undoubtedly inspiring, we often overlook the silent strength and resilience of ordinary women—the ones who don’t make headlines but profoundly shape the world in everyday ways.
The Quiet Power of the Ordinary Women
On this Women’s Day, I wish to celebrate the women farmers of rural India, who play a crucial role in maintaining our country’s food surplus As men migrate to cities in search of better earnings and less strenuous jobs, these resilient women shoulder the responsibility of both agriculture and household management, ensuring food security while keeping families together.
Women constitute over 70% of India’s agricultural workforce and perform 80% of all farm-related work, from sowing and harvesting to post-harvest processing. Despite their immense contribution, only 13% of them own land, making their labor largely unrecognized.
I also wish to acknowledge the village women self-help groups (SHGs), which have become the backbone of India’s rural economy. With over 8 million SHGs and over 90 million women members under India’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), they are driving rural entrepreneurship, dairy farming, handicrafts, and microfinance initiatives, leading to sustainable development and financial independence.
Today, as we celebrate women empowerment, let’s recognize and support these silent yet powerful changemakers who not only feed the nation but also shape its future.
In urban middle-class households, it is the homemakers who efficiently manage the home while men focus on earning a livelihood. In my experience, families where women effectively guide and nurture teenage children tend to thrive better than others. Whether as mothers or grandmothers, women play a pivotal role in imparting values and shaping character, while men remain primarily engaged in supporting the family financially.
Women are, in fact, the foundation of society, upon which the entire superstructure is built. Though the foundation may remain unseen, its role in ensuring the stability and strength of the structure is undeniable.
Take a moment to reflect on the women in your life—the mother juggling multiple responsibilities to provide for her children, the teacher who patiently shapes young minds, the street vendor who wakes up before dawn to set up her stall, or the homemaker who runs the household like an uncredited CEO. These women may not always be in the limelight, but their contributions are no less significant.
Resilience in Adversity
Ordinary women display extraordinary resilience in the face of hardships. They are the ones who:
• Fight battles against poverty, gender bias, and societal expectations without losing their spirit.
• Learn new skills, adapt to changing times, and build a better future for their families.
• Balance professional responsibilities and personal sacrifices with remarkable grace.
Breaking Stereotypes Without a Spotlight
Empowerment isn’t always about grand revolutions—sometimes, it’s about everyday acts of quiet defiance.
• The woman who confidently exercises in a sari at the park, breaking stereotypes of fitness being reserved for the privileged.
• The grandmother who embraces digital payments and online shopping, proving that adaptability has no age.
• The maid who ensures her daughter gets the education she was denied, breaking the cycle of generational hardship.
These women challenge norms in their own ways, proving that liberation is not always loud—but it is powerful.
Celebrating the Unseen Strength
International Women’s Day should not just be about awards and hashtags; it should also recognize the millions of women who redefine empowerment in their daily lives. Their strength lies not in fame, but in their ability to uplift themselves and those around them—without waiting for external validation.
So, as one celebrates Women’s Day, don’t just look at global icons. Look around you. Recognize the quiet warriors—the ordinary women with extraordinary strength—and never underestimate their power.
Because real change doesn’t always come from the boardrooms or parliaments—it begins at home, in the streets, in classrooms, and in the everyday choices of women who refuse to give up.
To all the unsung heroines—this Women’s Day, we celebrate YOU.
Inspire Positivity 