Why do we need Women’s day?

International Women’s day is being celebrated with full of enthusiasm all around me. My timeline is flooded with inspirational quotes, stories and colorful wishes. There are sessions going on for women in online forums, offline meet ups, official women’s day celebrations. I watch as as young women celebrate the women’s day with enthusiasm- color coded dressing, sessions on what to do, how to do things and ethnic wear for celebrating womanhood… Makes me wonder if we have finally arrived. Is it the time to stop conducting the women only sessions, women’s day celebrations?

Unfortunately, the answer is a big “No”! Many men are curious about what happens in those women only sessions. Some resent the initiatives around diversity, and think that women are given preferential treatment. Champions of women’s causes end up sounding either overly aggressive or highly defensive. I have always tried to rationalize the whole debate by being a reasonable voice. As a techie, only way to be reasonable is by ‘data’ driven. The answer to the above question lies in data.

The women in workplace survey conducted annually by LeanIn.org reveals interesting data that tells us why we still need women’s day celebrations, women focused corporate initiatives and employee resource groups and so many women in tech groups.

The survey found that the 48% of the workforce are women at entry level. but, only around 20% of them reach the leadership level. If they were competent enough to be hired in the first place, why didn’t they grow like their male colleagues did? Let’s ponder over this today as we celebrate with inspirational quotes about the greatness of women.