{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Public Health Day (English): International Women's Day","description":"Theme: Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls A (Dr. Nikita): Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if every woman had the same opportunities, safety, and respect as men? What if every girl could grow up knowing that her education matters, her health matters, and her voice matters? Hello everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Sangyaan Podcast, an initiative by the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society. I\u2019m Dr. Nikita. Today, March 8, people across the world are observing International Women\u2019s Day \u2014 a day to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in every sphere of life. But it is also a day to pause and reflect on an important question: how far have we truly come in achieving equality for women and girls? B (Ritika): Hi everyone, I\u2019m Ritika. And this year\u2019s global theme, announced by the United Nations, is \u201cRights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.\u201d These three words carry a powerful message. Because gender equality is not just about celebrating women\u2019s achievements once a year. It is about ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live with dignity, safety, opportunity, and respect. A: Exactly. When we talk about rights, we are referring to the basic freedoms every human being deserves \u2014 the right to education, the right to work, the right to safety, and the right to make decisions about their own lives. Over the years, progress has certainly been made. Many more girls today are going to school, women are entering leadership positions, and conversations around equality are becoming stronger. But the reality is that many women around the world still do not enjoy the same legal rights and opportunities as men. B: In fact, according to the World Bank\u2019s Women, Business and the Law report, women globally have only about 64 percent of the legal rights that men have. This affects important areas of life such as employment opportunities, property ownership, financial independence, and protection from discrimination. A: If we look at India, the picture shows both progress and challenges. India\u2019s female literacy rate has improved significantly, reaching about 70 percent according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). However, many women still face barriers in employment and leadership roles. For example, women\u2019s labour force participation in India is around 37 percent, meaning that a large proportion of women remain outside the workforce despite having the skills and education to contribute. B: And gender inequality is not only a social or economic issue \u2014 it is also a public health issue. For instance, NFHS-5 data shows that nearly one in three women in India has experienced some form of spousal violence. Experiences like these affect not just physical safety but also mental health, economic independence, and access to healthcare. A: Exactly. And this is where the second word of the theme becomes important \u2014 justice. Having rights written into laws is important, but justice means those rights must actually be protected and enforced. Women must feel safe reporting violence, discrimination, or harassment. They must have access to legal systems that support them and ensure fair treatment. B: And that brings us to the third word in this year\u2019s theme \u2014 action. Real change does not happen through awareness alone. It happens when governments, institutions, communities, and individuals actively work to remove barriers and create equal opportunities. A: In India, several government initiatives are working toward this goal. Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aim to improve the survival, education, and empowerment of girls. Health programs under the National Health Mission focus on improving maternal and child health services and ensuring access to healthcare for women across the country. B: Another important initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides clean cooking fuel to women from low-income households. This may sound like a simple intervention, but it has significant health benefits. It reduces exposure to indoor air pollution, which is linked to respiratory illnesses among women who traditionally spend long hours cooking with solid fuels. A: These initiatives highlight an important idea \u2014 that improving women\u2019s lives requires solutions across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and social protection. B: Let\u2019s think about a simple example. Imagine a young girl in a rural community who wants to continue her education. If she is supported, she goes to school, develops skills, and eventually becomes financially independent. But if she is forced to leave school early or denied opportunities, the impact is not only on her life. It affects her family\u2019s well-being, her children\u2019s future, and even the development of her community. A: Exactly. Research from organizations like UN Women consistently shows that when women have equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, entire societies benefit. Families become healthier, economies grow stronger, and future generations have better opportunities. B: So gender equality is not just a women\u2019s issue \u2014 it is a development issue, a public health issue, and a human rights issue. When women thrive, families thrive. And when families thrive, communities and nations grow stronger. A: At the same time, achieving equality also requires challenging everyday stereotypes and social norms that limit opportunities for women and girls. Sometimes change begins with simple actions \u2014 encouraging girls to pursue education, supporting women in leadership roles, or questioning unfair practices that have existed for generations. B: And perhaps most importantly, it means recognizing that everyone has a role to play. Governments can create policies. Organizations can build inclusive workplaces. Communities can support women\u2019s leadership. And individuals can speak up for fairness and respect in everyday life. A: So on this International Women\u2019s Day, let us remember that Rights. Justice. Action. are not just powerful words \u2014 they are commitments. Commitments to building a world where every woman and every girl has the freedom and opportunity to reach her full potential. B: A world where equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality. A: Thank you for listening to this episode of the Sangyaan Podcast. B: And on this International Women\u2019s Day, let us continue working together \u2014 for equal rights, fair opportunities, and a more inclusive future for all women and girls. A: Happy International Women\u2019s Day. References: United Nations \u2013 International Women\u2019s Day 2026 Theme: Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls World Bank \u2013 Women, Business and the Law Report Ministry of Health and Family Welfare \u2013 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India UN Women \u2013 Global reports on gender equality and women\u2019s empowerment Government of India \u2013 Official information on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, National Health Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana ","author_name":"Podcasts by SANGYAN for Public Health FAQs and Education","author_url":"https:\/\/sangyan.libsyn.com\/","html":"