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International Women's Day Special Sawf Members This issue of Connect commemorates International women's Day (08 March). This is an open section which we hope to build further using readers contributions. We invite Sawf readers add their thoughts to this page. Please send your contributions to Sawf Editor for inclusion on this page.

Bhawana Upadhyaya

Women's role in World Economy

On March 8, 1857, hundreds of women workers in garment and textile factories in New York City staged a strike against low wages, long working hours and inhumane working conditions. In August 1910, at a meeting in Copenhagen, the Women's Socialist International decided to commemorate the strike by observing an annual International Women's Day (IWD). This is where we can find the roots of IWD. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations (UN) began celebrating March 8 as IWD.

In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the UN General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.

For women, the Day offers an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.

In recent years, though world's women are referred to as having made tremendous progress towards achieving equality with men, there exists huge disparity when it comes to women of developing countries. Women continue to be among the poorest: the majority of the world's 1.3 billion absolute poor are women. Three-quarters of the women over 25 in much of Asia and Africa are illiterate. On the average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work. Everywhere, women continue to be victims of violence.

Efforts should be made to enhance their access to education and proper health care and their participation in the paid labour force. Legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has to be adopted by many countries.

On this auspicious occasion, let us commit ourselves to work towards helping the world realize that women are the only way to build a sustainable, just and developed society --the fact put forth by the Platform for Action at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Suman Chopra

KEEP YOUR WIFE HAPPY

Most husbands find themselves in deep trouble trying to keep their wives happy. One has got to be a smart crook like my husband. Here are some his gimmicks. Call them 'ides of 8th march'.

1. Always agree with her - at least outwardly. There is always that perfect understanding between us. Whenever we disagree, She goes her own way, and He goes Hers'.

2. Nothing needs better timing and tact, than introducing the subject of calling people home for a meal to your wife. Give her a feeling you are consulting - even though you want to say "Get going you fat a"

3. Listen to her demands attentively and say "no problem". Do what you want. If you are caught, say "sorry'. Managing a wife is an art not a science. Defies all logic.

4. Every morning ask her "Darling what can I do for you today". Remember she thinks her jobs are more important than your board meeting. Delegate them to the peon - mostly he is more suited to do them.

5. Learn to say 'sorry'. Between Husband and wife it hardly matters who is right or wrong. Then we all know the wife can never be wrong. If she is graceful enough to say sorry once in a year, treat it as matrimonial medal.

6. Decision-making is not a trait distributed evenly by god. What she must cook for dinner is occasionally more difficult to decide than running a diverse country like India. Help her - just suggest a dish she cooked when her mother dropped by last - incase you remember.

7. Praise her mother - at least in front of her - once in a while. Praise your wife herself 3-4 times a day - She trusts you more than the mirror.

8. 'Lend Her your Ears' - listen to her most patiently - use cotton buds if required.

9. Gift and forget. Never expect gratitude. Bring her a diamond set and she always wanted Rubies.

10. When you go grocery shopping, always quote half the price you paid for the goods when debriefing her on return, else you and the grocer had it.

11. Invest in an additional telephone. That's the cheapest way to keep her occupied. Graham Bell was the greatest inventor - so she thinks.

12. Keep your mouth shut. The women are masters at throwing the hook, don't bite it - you both will be fishing in troubled waters thereon.

13. Lastly, when your wife..

We are not sure if Suman has quite finished as yet! - Ed

Nitila Natarajan

Scenes From The Life of a Common Woman

Act I : Working Wife

Scene 1
8 a.m. At home.
Wife: I need your help this morning dear. I have a critical meeting. Can you please take the children to school?
Husband: But we agreed that dropping the kids would be your responsibility. You know it’s a 15-minute detour for me. And who will get them ready?
Wife: I have already packed their lunch and they are almost ready. You just need to supervise their breakfast. Surely for one day you can take the detour? You know I need your help to manage everything. After all before we got married...
Husband:: I know, I know. You’ll never let me forget will you? After all before we got married I was the one who insisted I wanted a working wife. So all my life I have to do this that and the other that my friends don’t even dream of doing. Okay, I’ll take care of it.

Scene 2
3.30 p.m. At the office. Telephone conversation.
Husband:: Hello? Hi it’s me. Looks like I’m going to be stuck late at work today. Have an important meeting tomorrow for which I have to prepare.
Wife: : But it’s Sports day for the kids. They’ve both won prizes and they want their dad to be there to see them receive the medals. They’ll be both disappointed.
Husband:: Well that’s just too bad. Daddy also has to bring home the bread. They’ll have to make do with mum.

Scene 3
8 p.m. At home
Husband:: Guess what honey it’s awesome. The office is having an offsite conference at Goa at the end of the month. Spouses included. We’ll have a great break. Plus I think it’s where my promotion will be decided.
Wife: : That’s wonderful. What are the dates? I should put it into my diary.
Husband:: 26th to 30th.
Wife: : Oh no! That’s when one of my really important clients is going to be visiting from the US. I can’t make it sorry!
Husband: Your work always gets in the way here I was dreaming of this wonderful free holiday and my promotion and you have to ruin it. And don’t start that stuff about a working wife again!

Scene 4
4 p.m. The office. Telephone conversation.
Wife: : I have to share this good news with you you know the transaction I have been working on for ages? It’s all finally come through. The firm is going to make big bucks from it. To celebrate, my boss has invited both of us to the best restaurant in town. We need to be there at 8 tonight.
Husband: Sorry. Can’t make it. I’m going out for a drink with some friends. You’ll have to go on your own. In any case, why would I be needed? I am sure you guys are just overexcited about the whole thing.

Act II : Married Professional

Scene 1
6 p.m. The office.
She: Okay guys I’m off. See you tomorrow.
He: What? Leaving already? It’s barely 6 o’clock. Do you have some special contract that you work flexitime or what?
She: No. As a matter of fact, I work here till at least 7.30 p.m. every other day of the year, which is long after you leave. It just happens to be my son’s birthday and I am going home to arrange his party. I had already wanted you guys of this about 10 days ago.
He: I tell you, companies shouldn’t employ all these working mums. A complete waste of money. Always thinking of their home and kids, always wanting to rush off. Nothing gets done on time. These women don’t respect deadlines.

Scene 2
5.30 p.m. The office.
He: Okay guys I’m off. See you tomorrow.
She: Did you manage to look at the file I had left on your desk. It needed to be attended to this afternoon.
He: No yaar. I didn’t really have much time. I have to rush off for my weekly golf game. Anyway what difference does it make; these deadlines are always flexible.

Scene 3
3 p.m. The office.
She: Hello. Thanks for meeting me. I actually wanted to speak to you about the job vacancy that has been created since the branch manager has been transferred. When my performance review was completed last year, we had discussed the possibility of my taking over that role since I would in any case be in line for promotion.
He: Yes, yes. Your performance was excellent. Unfortunately however some things have changed since we last spoke.
She: Why? What is different? If anything I have exceeded my targets for this year already.
He: I know. But you see, the other day I met your husband’s boss. He was mentioning that like you, your husband is doing very well and is in line for a promotion. But that may involve a transfer in the next couple of months. You know, it is important for the organisation to have the same branch manager for at least 3 years in a row. If your husband is transferred, then you will want a transfer too, and that is unstable from my point of view.
She: But why should my career be clubbed with my husband’s? If need be I could stay on for a while even if he is transferred.
He: That is what they all say. But then all married women end up following their husbands and kids. I have seen it many times Scene 4
4 p.m. The office.
He: You’re the first to know I am being transferred to Delhi.
She: Really how come?
He: I had actually asked for a transfer. The weather here doesn’t suit my daughter. She keeps falling ill. Plus I want her to have a Delhi education.
She: But I thought when you were promoted a couple of months ago, it was with the condition that you would stay in the job for 2 years. So how did they agree to your transfer?
He: I explained the scene to the boss told him I had personal problems in my family. So I guess after some pleading he agreed.