Global SheDecides Day 2019

Women in different parts of the world do not have the freedom to take their own decisions. Their husbands, parents and other members of family and society are the ones who burden them with their own decisions. It is the decision of other people like parents, to mutilate a young girl’s genitalia, or to get their teenage daughter married due to various invalid reasons and misconceptions, such as to avoid the girl from getting into a premarital relationship. Some people force working women in their families to leave their job because according to them, a married woman should give more attention to household chores. Women and girls are often forced to take important decisions of their lives under pressure.

2nd March is celebrated as Global SheDecides Day with the vision of creating ‘a world where every girl and woman can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question.’ This day was created in January 2017 as a response to Donald Trump’s ‘Mexico City Policy’ according to which non-governmental organisations (NGOs) outside the United States could not receive funds if they were involved with safe abortion.

When a girl has the freedom to take and make her own decisions, she can make the world a better and safer place. Maya Angelou said, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” The action of one girl or one woman can inspire other women and girls in her locality and neighbourhood to speak up for themselves. We can do our part at an individual level by expressing solidarity, supporting and empowering women and girls near us, like our friends, neighbours, cousins, domestic helpers and colleagues, and letting them know about their rights and control they have over their own bodies.

Visit https://www.shedecides.com/ to know more about SheDecides Day.