On International Women’s Day, Neetu Chandra who supports several social causes is in New York as part of an invitation by the Indian Consulate in the city to be the chief guest and speaker.

The actress-turned-producer is the honorary guest for the International Women's Day celebrations that will be held today on March 8. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/womens-day-alankrita-shrivastava-shweta-tripathi-neetu-chandra-discuss-what-it-means-to-a-woman-in-bollywood-201951">Also read:&nbsp;Women's Day: Alankrita Shrivastava, Shweta Tripathi, Neetu Chandra discuss what it means to be a woman in Bollywood</a>

On being part of the event, she said, "I feel so glad to be invited by the Indian Consulate in New York as the chief guest and speaker on the occasion of International Women's Day. It is special as this is an opportunity to get recharged, reconnected and inspired for a great and bright future. It is about never giving up on life and constantly striving for equality for women. I am really proud to be a part of this great event and look forward to it."

Neetu is a National award-winning producer and actor and an international sports player. The said event is being jointly hosted by The Consulate General of India, New York and The Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT.

Apart from this, Neetu recently featured in two successful music videos - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s romantic single 'Banjarey’ and Rekha Bhardwaj’s romantic song &nbsp;‘Hui Main Tumhari’. She is also preparing for her next Hindi film called ‘Ladaaku’ which is under pre-production. It's under her banner ‘Champaran Talkies’.

On International Women’s Day, Neetu Chandra who supports several social causes is in New York as part of an invitation by the Indian Consulate in the city to be the chief guest and speaker.

On International Women’s Day, Neetu Chandra who supports several social causes is in New York as part of an invitation by the Indian Consulate in the city to be the chief guest and speaker. The actress-turned-producer is the honorary guest for the International Women's Day celebrations that will be held today on March 8. Also read: Women's Day: Alankrita Shrivastava, Shweta Tripathi, Neetu Chandra discuss what it means to be a woman in Bollywood On being part of the event, she said, "I feel so glad to be invited by the Indian Consulate in New York as the chief guest and speaker on the occasion of International Women's Day. It is special as this is an opportunity to get recharged, reconnected and inspired for a great and bright future. It is about never giving up on life and constantly striving for equality for women. I am really proud to be a part of this great event and look forward to it." Neetu is a National award-winning producer and actor and an international sports player. The said event is being jointly hosted by The Consulate General of India, New York and The Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT. Apart from this, Neetu recently featured in two successful music videos - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s romantic single 'Banjarey’ and Rekha Bhardwaj’s romantic song ‘Hui Main Tumhari’. She is also preparing for her next Hindi film called ‘Ladaaku’ which is under pre-production. It's under her banner ‘Champaran Talkies’.

Neetu Chandra to celebrate International Women's Day in New York

As the world gets together to celebrate Women’s Day on March 8 today, Bollywood’s female filmmakers have been leading the charge of making films that not only hit the jackpot with its content but are also commercially viable. From Reema Kagti’s ‘Gold’ to Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Raazi’ last year to Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Gully Boy’ this year -- women directors of Bollywood now have a following of their own, having carved a niche for themselves.&nbsp;

If you go by the industry figures, their films have an equal pull in comparison to a contemporary male counterpart.&nbsp;

Not just this, even films are increasingly being made keeping a female character as central to the plot, think Sehmat of ‘Raazi’, Rani Padmavati of ‘Padmaavat’, Manikarnika of ‘Manikarnika’, Sweety of ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga’ and many others. These characters not only brought female characters to the fore but quashed the need for any ‘other’ hero, considering they adopted the role themselves. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/sehmat-rumi-simi-celebrating-the-women-from-2018s-best-movies-201909">Also see in pics:&nbsp;Sehmat, Rumi, Simi: Celebrating the women from 2018's best movies</a>

On Women’s Day, some female directors and actors of the Hindi entertainment industry discuss how Bollywood fares today in inclusivity, changing face of cinema if at all and what it means to be a woman:

Alankrita Shrivastava, Director

<img alt="bollywood women" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8034a4aa-f052-40fd-8a46-70eee95b4f15" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2826%29_3.jpg" />

She said, “I think the parts for women on screen are getting a little bit better. Many female actors are refusing to be just trophies in a male-hero lead film. I find that very heartening. When Alia Bhatt does a Raazi, Deepika Padukone does a Piku or Chhapak, then you know something is shifting.”

She added, “It's great to see female-lead films be it in terms of female cast, female directors and female producers. These are exciting times for women in cinema and storytelling, perhaps the best we've ever seen in India. I hope in the years to come, across formats, more and more space is created for women to tell their stories, the way they want.”

Director of ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, Alankrita feels there is still a lot of work as “in terms of cinema, better representation of women behind the camera is needed. Having more female directors, cinematographers, writers, producers.... will result in the quality of films changing. We will start seeing a new narrative, newer points of view. Also the environment for women will become safer and more secure. More women on a set, will enable a far healthier work environment.”

She also spoke of #meToo movement that took the industry by a storm and said: “I also hope that the #metoo movement continues in spirit in terms of making people think twice before assaulting or exploiting somebody. And that women who call out offenders are safe, secure and continue to get work. The sexual offenders should be ostracized, not the ones who have suffered the assault.”

Alankrita’s latest offering is web series ‘Made in Heaven’ with Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti who wrote and created the show, while Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Prashant Nair served as directors for the nine-episode series.

Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Actor

<img alt="bollywood women" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e5b3b7a9-2c9d-4f1b-b100-f93a5dc2015c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2824%29_4.jpg" />

She said, "Being a woman can be a blessing and a boon. It could be a superpower. Cool. And fun. And all things amazing. But all this won’t happen till the time we don’t change the way we think, not only about ourselves, about also about other women.”

‘Masaan’ actor added, “I am who I want to be. I don’t let my gender define my dreams, my ambitions, my emotions (or even my perfume). This women’s day, let’s put more belief in each one celebrate each other. Smile and conquer :)"

Shweta has two films this year -- ‘Cargo’ and ‘Mehandi Circus’.&nbsp;

Neetu Chandra, Actor

<img alt="bollywood women" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce9849cb-135a-4ee7-b471-cc051c246187" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2825%29_1.jpg" />

She said,"This International Women's Day, I urge all women in the world to never let yourselves be bogged down by anything that life throws at you. Keep pushing yourself to feel recharged, reconnected and inspired from within for a great and bright future and don't ever give up on life.

She added, “I am really proud to be a woman and so should each and every woman in this world should feel about themselves."

Tulsi Kumar, Singer

<img alt="bollywood women" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="66bb0dc2-33bc-4956-8b56-67aa6d3a19ef" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2827%29_4.jpg" />

She said, "A lot has changed in the industry for the better in the last few years. Women have broken norms, the mindset towards working married women has become welcoming and best of all, there are women-centric films and scripts being made regularly. In the industry, there are more women-oriented songs being made. It is happening at its pace and I am sure the pace will pick up in the time to come,” and added, “This is the change we have been waiting for.”

Daughter of T-Series honcho, Tulsi also feels that “the notion that a mother can't be an actor has also taken a 360° turn. I was married in 2015 and my career has only gone upward since! In 2017, I became a mother but has not stopped me. I have been travelling, recording and having so many gigs!"

Tulsi has several songs to her credit and continues to playback for films and launches her own music albums.&nbsp;

Paakhi A Tyrewala, Director

<img alt="bollywood women" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51b1d73c-5eed-41c7-8c93-9275f8081849" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20%2828%29_4.jpg" />

She said, “This women's day let's stand for what feminism truly stands for, Equality for all not just for women, but for who are suppressed, ignored or bullied. We stand together till we bring the change. We keep trying till each one of us is accepted for all who are”. &nbsp;

Paakhi gained directorial success with ‘Pahuna’ as it premiered internationally at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2017 where it was received with a standing ovation. The film also won the Best Film (Jury Choice) in The International Children’s Film Festival in Germany and won the Best Film Award by the European Jury.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As the world gets together to celebrate Women’s Day on March 8 today, Bollywood’s female filmmakers have been leading the charge of making films that not only hit the jackpot with its content but are also commercially viable.

As the world gets together to celebrate Women’s Day on March 8 today, Bollywood’s female filmmakers have been leading the charge of making films that not only hit the jackpot with its content but are also commercially viable. From Reema Kagti’s ‘Gold’ to Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Raazi’ last year to Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Gully Boy’ this year -- women directors of Bollywood now have a following of their own, having carved a niche for themselves. If you go by the industry figures, their films have an equal pull in comparison to a contemporary male counterpart. Not just this, even films are increasingly being made keeping a female character as central to the plot, think Sehmat of ‘Raazi’, Rani Padmavati of ‘Padmaavat’, Manikarnika of ‘Manikarnika’, Sweety of ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga’ and many others. These characters not only brought female characters to the fore but quashed the need for any ‘other’ hero, considering they adopted the role themselves. Also see in pics: Sehmat, Rumi, Simi: Celebrating the women from 2018's best movies On Women’s Day, some female directors and actors of the Hindi entertainment industry discuss how Bollywood fares today in inclusivity, changing face of cinema if at all and what it means to be a woman: Alankrita Shrivastava, Director She said, “I think the parts for women on screen are getting a little bit better. Many female actors are refusing to be just trophies in a male-hero lead film. I find that very heartening. When Alia Bhatt does a Raazi, Deepika Padukone does a Piku or Chhapak, then you know something is shifting.” She added, “It's great to see female-lead films be it in terms of female cast, female directors and female producers. These are exciting times for women in cinema and storytelling, perhaps the best we've ever seen in India. I hope in the years to come, across formats, more and more space is created for women to tell their stories, the way they want.” Director of ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’, Alankrita feels there is still a lot of work as “in terms of cinema, better representation of women behind the camera is needed. Having more female directors, cinematographers, writers, producers.... will result in the quality of films changing. We will start seeing a new narrative, newer points of view. Also the environment for women will become safer and more secure. More women on a set, will enable a far healthier work environment.” She also spoke of #meToo movement that took the industry by a storm and said: “I also hope that the #metoo movement continues in spirit in terms of making people think twice before assaulting or exploiting somebody. And that women who call out offenders are safe, secure and continue to get work. The sexual offenders should be ostracized, not the ones who have suffered the assault.” Alankrita’s latest offering is web series ‘Made in Heaven’ with Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti who wrote and created the show, while Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Prashant Nair served as directors for the nine-episode series. Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Actor She said, "Being a woman can be a blessing and a boon. It could be a superpower. Cool. And fun. And all things amazing. But all this won’t happen till the time we don’t change the way we think, not only about ourselves, about also about other women.” ‘Masaan’ actor added, “I am who I want to be. I don’t let my gender define my dreams, my ambitions, my emotions (or even my perfume). This women’s day, let’s put more belief in each one celebrate each other. Smile and conquer :)" Shweta has two films this year -- ‘Cargo’ and ‘Mehandi Circus’. Neetu Chandra, Actor She said,"This International Women's Day, I urge all women in the world to never let yourselves be bogged down by anything that life throws at you. Keep pushing yourself to feel recharged, reconnected and inspired from within for a great and bright future and don't ever give up on life. She added, “I am really proud to be a woman and so should each and every woman in this world should feel about themselves." Tulsi Kumar, Singer She said, "A lot has changed in the industry for the better in the last few years. Women have broken norms, the mindset towards working married women has become welcoming and best of all, there are women-centric films and scripts being made regularly. In the industry, there are more women-oriented songs being made. It is happening at its pace and I am sure the pace will pick up in the time to come,” and added, “This is the change we have been waiting for.” Daughter of T-Series honcho, Tulsi also feels that “the notion that a mother can't be an actor has also taken a 360° turn. I was married in 2015 and my career has only gone upward since! In 2017, I became a mother but has not stopped me. I have been travelling, recording and having so many gigs!" Tulsi has several songs to her credit and continues to playback for films and launches her own music albums. Paakhi A Tyrewala, Director She said, “This women's day let's stand for what feminism truly stands for, Equality for all not just for women, but for who are suppressed, ignored or bullied. We stand together till we bring the change. We keep trying till each one of us is accepted for all who are”. Paakhi gained directorial success with ‘Pahuna’ as it premiered internationally at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2017 where it was received with a standing ovation. The film also won the Best Film (Jury Choice) in The International Children’s Film Festival in Germany and won the Best Film Award by the European Jury.

Women's Day: Alankrita Shrivastava, Shweta Tripathi, Neetu Chandra discuss what it means to be a woman in Bollywood

Female sporting icons speak about their inspiration on International Women’s Day

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” noted French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir famously, in her classic book, The Second Sex (1949).

The world is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 with great pomp and show. Yet, 70 years after Simone’s pithy observations, things have not changed much. It is not merely gender equality, but something beyond that is needed to negate the thoughts expressed by the great French philosopher.

In the case of a woman, her birth itself is less than welcome. The love for a son is overwhelming because it is he who takes care of his parents and it is the son who will perform the last rights. Daughter is a paraya dhan (stranger’s property), whose wedding would make the family poorer and smaller.

Considering the fall in sex ratio, laws have been enacted and progressive policies of the central government, like “Beti Bachao Beti Padao” (save the daughter, educate the daughter) have been introduced.

Still, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, up to five crore girls and women are ‘missing’ from India’s population because of termination of the female foetus and high mortality of the girl child due to lack of adequate care.&nbsp;

Data collected by the Office of Registrar General of India from the Civil Registration System (CRS), reveals that in 2016, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan had the worst sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 806. Tamil Nadu, which had sex ratio of 935 in 2007, came down to 840 compared to the all India figure of 877. Karnataka has an SRB of 983, which has declined by 108 marks in comparison with the survey conducted in 2007 when it stood at 1,004.&nbsp;

Despite the rise in literacy, the sex ratio has not improved, says the first phase of the National Family Health Survey — 2015-16 (NFHS 4). As a matter of fact, the sex ratio in many states has significantly decreased despite a corresponding rise in the literacy rate.

It begs the question: Is the supposed disadvantage of a girl child an actual disadvantage, or is it based on societal perceptions?&nbsp;

Perception about women is not just a matter of chance. It has been deliberately built up because of their patriarchal status — &nbsp;how she has to dress, what to study, where to study and whom to marry — are all decided by men.So the biological condition of women, per se, is not a handicap. It is her strength and a special feature. Her unique feminine features, her sex organs, menstruation, pregnancy and her menopause are not just important but are the epicentre of the entire family system.&nbsp;

Still, the accepted reality is that these features are a burden. A menstruating woman is not supposed to participate in routine and religious affairs, as she is considered impure. Menstruation is used as a tool to make women feel inferior about herself and her body.&nbsp;

So, it is the perception that counts. If we feel bad about a thing, it becomes a bad thing; if we feel good about it, it becomes a good thing.

Despite the handicaps, some women have started recognising their true potential, questioning the rules laid down for them by society. They are breaking barriers and have earned a respectable position in society. Indian women are excelling in every field of life, profession or business. Progress is taking place, but it is slow. At some points, the gaps are big and visible.&nbsp;

Despite the rise in literacy levels, the number of working women is on the decline. As per the World Economic Forum survey on gender gap index (2017), India is ranked 108 out of 144. In the gender inequality index — UNDP (2017), India stands at the 127th position out of 183.&nbsp;

According to the National Family Health Survey — 2015-16, working women have declined from 36 per cent in 2005-06 to 24 per cent in 2015-16. &nbsp;

There are more figures. Niti Aayog-SDG India Index - 2018, puts women labour force participation rate at 32 per cent of the total labour force. Women in leadership roles has been pegged at 8.7 per cent in state legislative assemblies.&nbsp;

According to a 2015 study by think tank McKinsey Global Institute, currently, women contribute a mere 17 per cent to India’s GDP, well below the global average of 37 per cent. If women participated in the economy at par with men, India could increase its GDP by up to 60 per cent or $2.9 trillion by 2025. &nbsp;

On International Women’s Day, there is a pressing need for gender-focused structural reforms to increase women’s contribution to productivity and growth.

Improved advancement practices alone can pitch talented women into leadership and managerial roles. There is a need to travel beyond gender equality; empowering of half of the potential workforce has significant growth benefits that go beyond gender equality. &nbsp;

Empowering women can become a reality only when running a family is not her exclusive and sole responsibility. In order to make families, societies and countries prosperous, both men and women will have to share the responsibility jointly. This alone will ensure better participation of women in work.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-quite-clearly-the-second-sex-2727363">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” noted French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir famously, in her classic book, The Second Sex (1949). The world is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 with great pomp and show.

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” noted French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir famously, in her classic book, The Second Sex (1949). The world is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 with great pomp and show. Yet, 70 years after Simone’s pithy observations, things have not changed much. It is not merely gender equality, but something beyond that is needed to negate the thoughts expressed by the great French philosopher. In the case of a woman, her birth itself is less than welcome. The love for a son is overwhelming because it is he who takes care of his parents and it is the son who will perform the last rights. Daughter is a paraya dhan (stranger’s property), whose wedding would make the family poorer and smaller. Considering the fall in sex ratio, laws have been enacted and progressive policies of the central government, like “Beti Bachao Beti Padao” (save the daughter, educate the daughter) have been introduced. Still, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, up to five crore girls and women are ‘missing’ from India’s population because of termination of the female foetus and high mortality of the girl child due to lack of adequate care. Data collected by the Office of Registrar General of India from the Civil Registration System (CRS), reveals that in 2016, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan had the worst sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 806. Tamil Nadu, which had sex ratio of 935 in 2007, came down to 840 compared to the all India figure of 877. Karnataka has an SRB of 983, which has declined by 108 marks in comparison with the survey conducted in 2007 when it stood at 1,004. Despite the rise in literacy, the sex ratio has not improved, says the first phase of the National Family Health Survey — 2015-16 (NFHS 4). As a matter of fact, the sex ratio in many states has significantly decreased despite a corresponding rise in the literacy rate. It begs the question: Is the supposed disadvantage of a girl child an actual disadvantage, or is it based on societal perceptions? Perception about women is not just a matter of chance. It has been deliberately built up because of their patriarchal status — how she has to dress, what to study, where to study and whom to marry — are all decided by men.So the biological condition of women, per se, is not a handicap. It is her strength and a special feature. Her unique feminine features, her sex organs, menstruation, pregnancy and her menopause are not just important but are the epicentre of the entire family system. Still, the accepted reality is that these features are a burden. A menstruating woman is not supposed to participate in routine and religious affairs, as she is considered impure. Menstruation is used as a tool to make women feel inferior about herself and her body. So, it is the perception that counts. If we feel bad about a thing, it becomes a bad thing; if we feel good about it, it becomes a good thing. Despite the handicaps, some women have started recognising their true potential, questioning the rules laid down for them by society. They are breaking barriers and have earned a respectable position in society. Indian women are excelling in every field of life, profession or business. Progress is taking place, but it is slow. At some points, the gaps are big and visible. Despite the rise in literacy levels, the number of working women is on the decline. As per the World Economic Forum survey on gender gap index (2017), India is ranked 108 out of 144. In the gender inequality index — UNDP (2017), India stands at the 127th position out of 183. According to the National Family Health Survey — 2015-16, working women have declined from 36 per cent in 2005-06 to 24 per cent in 2015-16. There are more figures. Niti Aayog-SDG India Index - 2018, puts women labour force participation rate at 32 per cent of the total labour force. Women in leadership roles has been pegged at 8.7 per cent in state legislative assemblies. According to a 2015 study by think tank McKinsey Global Institute, currently, women contribute a mere 17 per cent to India’s GDP, well below the global average of 37 per cent. If women participated in the economy at par with men, India could increase its GDP by up to 60 per cent or $2.9 trillion by 2025. On International Women’s Day, there is a pressing need for gender-focused structural reforms to increase women’s contribution to productivity and growth. Improved advancement practices alone can pitch talented women into leadership and managerial roles. There is a need to travel beyond gender equality; empowering of half of the potential workforce has significant growth benefits that go beyond gender equality. Empowering women can become a reality only when running a family is not her exclusive and sole responsibility. In order to make families, societies and countries prosperous, both men and women will have to share the responsibility jointly. This alone will ensure better participation of women in work. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Quite clearly the second sex: Running a family should not be sole responsibility of women

There is a surge in women-led stories in Bollywood but while the female gaze has started to get a space, equal representation is still a distant dream, believe filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava and Nitya Mehra.

The filmmakers, who worked on Amazon Prime Video's India original 'Made in Heaven', a show created, written and even directed by a team of women with the exception of Prashant Nair, who directed two episodes, believe the there is change but the odds are still stacked against women in the industry.

"There may have been a time when women weren't taken seriously but I haven't experienced that," Zoya, who has been receiving rave reviews for 'Gully Boy', told PTI.

She believes more than the gender of the maker, it's the kind of film one wants to make that matters.&nbsp;

"Notionally, as many people are not buying the tickets for a film with a female protagonist, making that is difficult. But every decade has had films which have been women-led and have broken the ceiling. Right now, every year women filmmakers are coming in, the gaze is changing," she says.

'Lipstick Under My Burkha'&nbsp;director Alankrita, however, says there is a system which isn't "inclusive of women" and statistically, they have only directed about six per cent of the films in the industry.&nbsp;

"Which is why I feel over the decades if you look at the history of popular culture, it is created by men, the point of view is male and even how the audience views it. They have been normalised into watching in a certain way," she says.&nbsp;

This systematic exclusion of women, Reema points out, can be seen even in the armed forces.&nbsp;

"It is a societal thing and it is across the world. It's a major problem but I think we are definitely changing."

Zoya, who has co-written her films with Reema, says the kind of absorption of "women storytellers that's happening in our industry is not happening in America."

"We are better off. I don't think producers today are saying 'Oh, she is a woman', I don't think that's happening," Zoya says.&nbsp;

Alankrita, however, believes it isn't largely true.&nbsp;

"I come from a much smaller cinema space and I think it is really tough. It is obvious that with a lot of women filmmakers, they might want to tell stories which are coming from their lived experiences. Often, women want to make films which are about women."&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Alankrita says things change dramatically for a woman when she's directing a film.&nbsp;

"I feel where there is a lot of money involved, between a man and a woman, the traditional patriarchal set up tends to trust the guy more.

"When you have screening for exhibitors when you are trying to get shows for your film, there is not a single woman there. They don't understand what you are trying to make. I feel when there are fifty per cent filmmakers who are woman, the content is going to change dramatically."

What irks Alankrita is the feeling of being constantly judged by a system that is created by men, for men.&nbsp;

"It is a very macho-hero driven industry. The exhibition system is geared towards that, the star system, marketing of a film is driven by that. You are constantly fighting the odds and it is at every level."

Nitya, who assisted Ang Lee and Mira Nair before helming her debut 'Baar Baar Dekho', says a film set today has more women than before.&nbsp;

"When I was an AD and first came to Mumbai, I remember the number of women on a set, that was only for hair, makeup, wardrobe. That's it. Now when I go on a set, it gives me so much pleasure to see so many women working in various departments."

Reema says the times today reflect more inclusion and diversity for women and it isn't as gloomy as before.&nbsp;

"Today, of course, there are so many more choices. It's a positive sign."&nbsp;

There is a surge in women-led stories in Bollywood but while the female gaze has started to get a space, equal representation is still a distant dream, believe filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava and Nitya Mehra.

There is a surge in women-led stories in Bollywood but while the female gaze has started to get a space, equal representation is still a distant dream, believe filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava and Nitya Mehra. The filmmakers, who worked on Amazon Prime Video's India original 'Made in Heaven', a show created, written and even directed by a team of women with the exception of Prashant Nair, who directed two episodes, believe the there is change but the odds are still stacked against women in the industry. "There may have been a time when women weren't taken seriously but I haven't experienced that," Zoya, who has been receiving rave reviews for 'Gully Boy', told PTI. She believes more than the gender of the maker, it's the kind of film one wants to make that matters. "Notionally, as many people are not buying the tickets for a film with a female protagonist, making that is difficult. But every decade has had films which have been women-led and have broken the ceiling. Right now, every year women filmmakers are coming in, the gaze is changing," she says. 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' director Alankrita, however, says there is a system which isn't "inclusive of women" and statistically, they have only directed about six per cent of the films in the industry. "Which is why I feel over the decades if you look at the history of popular culture, it is created by men, the point of view is male and even how the audience views it. They have been normalised into watching in a certain way," she says. This systematic exclusion of women, Reema points out, can be seen even in the armed forces. "It is a societal thing and it is across the world. It's a major problem but I think we are definitely changing." Zoya, who has co-written her films with Reema, says the kind of absorption of "women storytellers that's happening in our industry is not happening in America." "We are better off. I don't think producers today are saying 'Oh, she is a woman', I don't think that's happening," Zoya says. Alankrita, however, believes it isn't largely true. "I come from a much smaller cinema space and I think it is really tough. It is obvious that with a lot of women filmmakers, they might want to tell stories which are coming from their lived experiences. Often, women want to make films which are about women." Alankrita says things change dramatically for a woman when she's directing a film. "I feel where there is a lot of money involved, between a man and a woman, the traditional patriarchal set up tends to trust the guy more. "When you have screening for exhibitors when you are trying to get shows for your film, there is not a single woman there. They don't understand what you are trying to make. I feel when there are fifty per cent filmmakers who are woman, the content is going to change dramatically." What irks Alankrita is the feeling of being constantly judged by a system that is created by men, for men. "It is a very macho-hero driven industry. The exhibition system is geared towards that, the star system, marketing of a film is driven by that. You are constantly fighting the odds and it is at every level." Nitya, who assisted Ang Lee and Mira Nair before helming her debut 'Baar Baar Dekho', says a film set today has more women than before. "When I was an AD and first came to Mumbai, I remember the number of women on a set, that was only for hair, makeup, wardrobe. That's it. Now when I go on a set, it gives me so much pleasure to see so many women working in various departments." Reema says the times today reflect more inclusion and diversity for women and it isn't as gloomy as before. "Today, of course, there are so many more choices. It's a positive sign."

Filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava and Nitya Mehra discuss if Bollywood is inclusive of women today

On one Pakistani farm, it's the women who keep the business running

As many would argue, a single day to celebrate women and their contribution to the society is not enough. We, as a society at large, are going through massive changes in the way we treat our women and deal with the issues that plague them. The last year saw a monumental movement like Me Too coming to the fore where women across the world united and spoke against sexual harassment and called for immediate action against the perpetrators.&nbsp; 
 
There is a lot do, we admit. But perhaps a day like Women&#39;s Day would be a good day to spearhead change in the right direction, spread awareness and sensitize women and men about the issues that women want everyone to focus on.&nbsp; 
 
We went around asking some of the talented women in WION what change they would want this International Women&#39;s Day. The reactions were rather refreshing as most demanded a cohesive, inclusive environment above anything else.&nbsp; 
 
Here is what the women of WION had to say. 
 
&#39;Love yourself&#39;

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This <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensDay</a> I wish more of us understand the value of &#39;self-love&#39; and self-prioritizing. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/empoweryourself?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#empoweryourself</a>
&mdash; Sparshita Saxena (@_Sparshita_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Sparshita_/status/971340715384066053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This Women&#39;s Day I want none of us to shy away from the fact that, in a way, most of us forget to love ourselves. Caught in the rut of life, the humdrum and chaos of our daily routine drowns the need to take care of ourselves. 
 
This goes out to all those super-women who know no failure -- you juggle multiple roles, outperform your expectations and still choose yourself in the end. This Women&#39;s Day, I want all of us to embrace a change and make conscious efforts to put ourselves first more often. Take charge of your health and practice self love; reach out to sisters who are not as privileged as you and before anything, teach them how to take care of their health and how to love themselves. Let this change be tangible, literal... wear it on your face, let it radiate and turn into a happy halo around you! 
 
- Sparshita Saxena, Senior Copy Editor, WION DIgital 
 
&#39;Acknowledge the contribution of other women&#39; 
&nbsp;

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A big shout out to all the lovely ladies out there. 
This women&#39;s day appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of women in your life. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NothingWithoutWoman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NothingWithoutWoman</a>
&mdash; Puniti Pandey (@PandeyPuniti) <a href="https://twitter.com/PandeyPuniti/status/971360949616615425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This women&#39;s day appreciate&nbsp;and acknowledge the efforts of women in your life. From time immemorial a woman has always played a vital role in the functioning of a family and their home. She is born with the big obligation on her shoulder to take over the responsibility of, first her house, and then her husband&#39;s house.&nbsp;Throughout her childhood, she is imparted with the values that she is supposed to assimilate in order to become a credible homemaker.

And with the growing times, these responsibilities have broadened. After woman&#39;s active and increased participation in the so-called &quot;man&#39;s world&quot;, the lady power has not only emerged as a successful home maker but also a tough competition for men in the corporate and business sector.&nbsp; 
 
-Puniti Pandey, Copy Writer, WION Digital&nbsp;

&#39;Inclusive environment&#39;

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This Women&#39;s Day, I would wish for Indian women to be as empowered as men which in turn implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation towards problems of women and greater role in decision making whether at the work place or at home
&mdash; Chandni Prashar (@ChandniPrashar) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChandniPrashar/status/971379350846300161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This Women&#39;s Day, I would wish for Indian women to be as empowered as men which in turn implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation towards problems of women and greater role in decision making whether at the work place or at home. 
 
We need to change mindsets and perspectives towards women and overcome and challenge biased and non-inclusive behaviour towards women. At home, women need to take more decisions from deciding which serial to watch to having an equal say in what to buy and where to live. At work, women need to take on greater leadership roles, be in charge of things and prove the biases towards them are incorrect. 
 
-Chandni Prashar, Senior Journalist, WION Digital

&#39;Importance of change&#39;

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I want to dedicate this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensDay</a> to change. Let&#39;s change one attitude, one belief, one perception, one stereotype and the world will be a happier, fairer place to live in. Fair, not privileged. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyWomensDay</a> all you ladies out there!
&mdash; Zeba khan (@zessz) <a href="https://twitter.com/zessz/status/971394353091497985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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International Women&rsquo;s Day or March 8 is just another date on the calendar as I feel every day belongs to us women and men of course.&nbsp; 
 
Yes, I identify myself as a feminist but I believe in equality rather than privilege and I want to dedicate this women&rsquo;s day and every women&rsquo;s day in the future to &lsquo;change&rsquo;. If only we (women), in our daily lives are able to bring about a change in two individuals from both the sexes, the world would be a much fairer (read equal, not colour) place to live in.&nbsp; 
 
I am talking about the change in attitude, behaviour, and ideology. Why don&rsquo;t we fuel the cycle of change from our own house -- say, parents, siblings? I started with my younger sibling, my brother. Grown up to be a young man himself, my 23-year-old brother hates ads that portray women as sexual objects, was my biggest supporter in marrying out of love, never took my care and love for him for granted and the list can go on endlessly. My next change is my husband (work in progress) and hopefully, my kids when I have them.&nbsp; 
 
With every change, I hope to see a society where people, both women and men are compassionate, value one another and help each other to grow both in personal and professional space. We (women) have to stop limiting ourselves, reinforcing stereotypes at home and work, promote patriarchal setups and say it&rsquo;s okay for a woman to confirm and a boy to rebel. We need to bring that change. It&rsquo;s okay for anyone to rebel or confirm, it should be a matter of choice! 
 
-Zeba Khan, Associate Producer, WION Digital

&#39;More than lip service&#39;

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Freedom to return home late has been expanding by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwoHours?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TwoHours</a> every decade. Will this be the pace of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Womenempowerment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Womenempowerment</a>
&mdash; Vanshika Garg (@Vanshika2k14) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vanshika2k14/status/971636551204720640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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When India talks about &#39;Women&#39;s day&#39;, it seems superficial and overrated. This is the 43rd Women&#39;s day and our society is getting liberal with the pace of #TwoHours. Until two decades back, women could stay out of the home until 6 p.m., then 8 p.m. in the next decade, and now, max. up to 10 p.m. And here we are, celebrating the achievements of women. The only thing achieved is #TwoHours.&nbsp;

-Vanshika Garg, Editorial Intern, WION Digital

&#39;End of misogyny&#39; 
 
On International Woman&#39;s Day, I believe we are not far from that day when the invisible glass ceiling that does not allow a woman climb up despite the hard work she puts in will just melt away. Women will not be subjected to snide remarks for struggling to accomplish the herculean task of being a doting mother, loving wife and a committed professional. We don&#39;t want to be superwoman because we now know what exploitation the term entails. We are just women. And that is good enough for us. Very importantly, women want to hear less of misogynist comments. No one gets to tell a woman because her husband earns well, she doesn&#39;t need a raise for the work she puts in. At work, we don&#39;t want special treatment, but don&#39;t treat us unfairly. &nbsp;

- Madhumita Saha, Opinion Editor

&#39;Don&#39;t tell us what to do or how to behave&#39;

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We are told to respect fear more than respect ourselves. So today, all I want to say to all the women out there - YOU DO YOU! Trust your gut and have power over yourselves. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/womensday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#womensday</a>
&mdash; Anushka Dixit (@Nushi93) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nushi93/status/971672109113053184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It&rsquo;s Women&rsquo;s Day today, and as a woman, all I want is to not be reminded of it...not be told &ldquo;you&rsquo;re a woman, you shouldn&rsquo;t be working so hard on your career&rdquo;, &ldquo;oh leave it, you mustn&rsquo;t do that, it&rsquo;s way too tough&rdquo;, &ldquo;you shouldn&rsquo;t be working till midnight&rdquo;, &ldquo;time is ticking think about getting married.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
 
I still read about how society reacts to women who aren&rsquo;t your stereotypical lot and are getting out of the traditional thinking. The thinking of &ldquo;what would society think&rdquo; bothers me. We are told to respect fear more than respect ourselves. This is, perhaps, why women fear to talk about being strong, powerful and independent. This is why, the courageous women who do take the stage to talk about it, have to clinch onto their hearts when walking on streets because of the sheer fear of being harassed. I still see it. I still read about it.&nbsp; 
 
So today, all I want to say to all the women out there is - YOU DO YOU! Trust your gut and have power over yourselves.&nbsp; 
 
- Anushka Dixit, Copy writer, WION DIgital

 
&#39;Life should not end after marriage&#39;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomenEmpowerment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomenEmpowerment</a> will be established when women will stop compromising with their career after marriage irrespective of any reason<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensDay</a>
&mdash; Srishti Sisodia (@srishti_sisodia) <a href="https://twitter.com/srishti_sisodia/status/971611683306328064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Women empowerment is essential because, for hundreds of years, we are living in patriarchal/gender biased society. I agree there are certain places or certain people who still consider women a second-class citizen but things are changing and changes take time. Slowly and steadily the notion of empowering women is gaining pace. 
 
In recent years, the status of women have seen positive changes. Most parents are focusing on educating their girl child and helping them to realise their dreams pursue higher education and a successful career.&nbsp; 
 
Women also need to stop compromising with their career after the marriage irrespective of any reason. Fight it out, ladies! 
 
It isn&#39;t always that a woman is forced to leave her job by her family members. Many a time she herself chooses to leave the job to appease others.&nbsp;We see a lot of girls in school and colleges but not at the workplace. The reason is quite obvious- a lot of us grew up dreaming about the fairy tale weddings and holy matrimony but there is so much more to do in life, so much to achieve as an individual other than being a good wife or a mother.&nbsp; 
 
I am not demeaning household work but in the contemporary era, self-dependence is the key to happiness. So get up and go to work even when you are 50. 
 
PS: Dear husbands, learn to cook and prepare the breakfast some time so that she can leave for office in free mind.

- Srishti Sisodia, Copy writer, WION Digital

&#39;React where it is needed&#39; 
 
As hard as being a woman in this country really is, I&#39;m proud to be a part of this changing society. 
 
One change that I would like to see in my society would be to see people becoming&nbsp;more tolerant towards things. Intolerance becomes a major barrier to change.&nbsp;As seen during the release of a Bollywood movie, the intolerance level in the people of India is shocking and what triggers more is that the information provided to them is not always reliable. Without checking the accuracy of the information, many people get hyper and start reacting in a manner that is not suitable. &nbsp; 
 
Such kind of reactions is not seen when an actual crisis occurs, like violence, or a rape, and so on. Reactions should be provided at places where it is needed, and this becomes one thing that I would want to change here. 
 
- Nandini Singh, Editorial Intern, WION digital

&#39;Train the boys well&#39;

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Let&#39;s train our boys well. Let&#39;s teach them to be self-reliant and raise them as sensitive human beings because only then can the society be free of misogyny and inequalities. And then, every day can be a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomensDay</a> , no?
&mdash; Shomini Sen (@shominisen) <a href="https://twitter.com/shominisen/status/971650722449297408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Our society is going through massive change, no doubt. And while more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of an equal society, there is still a lot to do. There are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed and patriarchy is one of them.&nbsp; 
 
As women, we have to deal with patriarchy on a daily basis. Be it at the workplace, where a male colleague can pass an unintentional sexist comment, or at home, where a male member of the family may refuse to help with household chores(because that&#39;s apparently not HIS job), or at&nbsp;a&nbsp;restaurant, where the waiter doesn&#39;t think you are capable to pay the food bill and gives it to the guy, the struggle is constant. So it is important to train our boys well.

Treat your son the way you would treat your daughter- teach him to be self-reliant, self-sufficient and more importantly raise them to become sensitive human beings. Because when we raise our boys well, we get a cohesive, healthy environment where everyone is treated equally. I understand that the change will not happen overnight, but we all have taken a step towards it- so it&#39;s only a matter of time that things will change for the better.&nbsp; 
 
-Shomini Sen, Assistant Editor, WION Digital

&#39;Change the stereotypes&#39;

On International Women&#39;s day what I would like to change is the mindset of people and the social norms that stereotype women as the sole nurturer of the society.&nbsp;It annoys me to see that women are treated as unequal. It is unfair to think of them simply as supreme nurturers and goddess of patience and expect them to be always full of kindness and generosity. 
 
Instead, let all the women around you have their own space to grow, to make mistakes and stand up again like any other normal human being full of imperfections.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Women&#39;s behavior is not limited to the kindness and generosity that society has imposed on them. A woman goes through a lot of changes, physically, biologically and emotionally and it would be really nice if society can just leave them alone from stereotyping and always questioning the way she conducts herself.&nbsp; 
 
No, our hearts are not always filled with forgiveness and kindness- in fact, it is filled with the same emotions and vulnerabilities that every &#39;human being&#39; &nbsp;has.

- Shivani Kumar, Copy Writer, WION Digital

We went around asking some of the talented women in WION what change they would want this International Women's Day.

As many would argue, a single day to celebrate women and their contribution to the society is not enough. We, as a society at large, are going through massive changes in the way we treat our women and deal with the issues that plague them. The last year saw a monumental movement like Me Too coming to the fore where women across the world united and spoke against sexual harassment and called for immediate action against the perpetrators. There is a lot do, we admit. But perhaps a day like Women's Day would be a good day to spearhead change in the right direction, spread awareness and sensitize women and men about the issues that women want everyone to focus on. We went around asking some of the talented women in WION what change they would want this International Women's Day. The reactions were rather refreshing as most demanded a cohesive, inclusive environment above anything else. Here is what the women of WION had to say. 'Love yourself' This #WomensDay I wish more of us understand the value of 'self-love' and self-prioritizing. #empoweryourself — Sparshita Saxena (@_Sparshita_) March 7, 2018 × This Women's Day I want none of us to shy away from the fact that, in a way, most of us forget to love ourselves. Caught in the rut of life, the humdrum and chaos of our daily routine drowns the need to take care of ourselves. This goes out to all those super-women who know no failure -- you juggle multiple roles, outperform your expectations and still choose yourself in the end. This Women's Day, I want all of us to embrace a change and make conscious efforts to put ourselves first more often. Take charge of your health and practice self love; reach out to sisters who are not as privileged as you and before anything, teach them how to take care of their health and how to love themselves. Let this change be tangible, literal... wear it on your face, let it radiate and turn into a happy halo around you! - Sparshita Saxena, Senior Copy Editor, WION DIgital 'Acknowledge the contribution of other women' A big shout out to all the lovely ladies out there. This women's day appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of women in your life. #NothingWithoutWoman — Puniti Pandey (@PandeyPuniti) March 7, 2018 × This women's day appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of women in your life. From time immemorial a woman has always played a vital role in the functioning of a family and their home. She is born with the big obligation on her shoulder to take over the responsibility of, first her house, and then her husband's house. Throughout her childhood, she is imparted with the values that she is supposed to assimilate in order to become a credible homemaker. And with the growing times, these responsibilities have broadened. After woman's active and increased participation in the so-called "man's world", the lady power has not only emerged as a successful home maker but also a tough competition for men in the corporate and business sector. -Puniti Pandey, Copy Writer, WION Digital 'Inclusive environment' This Women's Day, I would wish for Indian women to be as empowered as men which in turn implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation towards problems of women and greater role in decision making whether at the work place or at home — Chandni Prashar (@ChandniPrashar) March 7, 2018 × This Women's Day, I would wish for Indian women to be as empowered as men which in turn implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation towards problems of women and greater role in decision making whether at the work place or at home. We need to change mindsets and perspectives towards women and overcome and challenge biased and non-inclusive behaviour towards women. At home, women need to take more decisions from deciding which serial to watch to having an equal say in what to buy and where to live. At work, women need to take on greater leadership roles, be in charge of things and prove the biases towards them are incorrect. -Chandni Prashar, Senior Journalist, WION Digital 'Importance of change' I want to dedicate this #WomensDay to change. Let's change one attitude, one belief, one perception, one stereotype and the world will be a happier, fairer place to live in. Fair, not privileged. #HappyWomensDay all you ladies out there! — Zeba khan (@zessz) March 7, 2018 × International Women’s Day or March 8 is just another date on the calendar as I feel every day belongs to us women and men of course. Yes, I identify myself as a feminist but I believe in equality rather than privilege and I want to dedicate this women’s day and every women’s day in the future to ‘change’. If only we (women), in our daily lives are able to bring about a change in two individuals from both the sexes, the world would be a much fairer (read equal, not colour) place to live in. I am talking about the change in attitude, behaviour, and ideology. Why don’t we fuel the cycle of change from our own house -- say, parents, siblings? I started with my younger sibling, my brother. Grown up to be a young man himself, my 23-year-old brother hates ads that portray women as sexual objects, was my biggest supporter in marrying out of love, never took my care and love for him for granted and the list can go on endlessly. My next change is my husband (work in progress) and hopefully, my kids when I have them. With every change, I hope to see a society where people, both women and men are compassionate, value one another and help each other to grow both in personal and professional space. We (women) have to stop limiting ourselves, reinforcing stereotypes at home and work, promote patriarchal setups and say it’s okay for a woman to confirm and a boy to rebel. We need to bring that change. It’s okay for anyone to rebel or confirm, it should be a matter of choice! -Zeba Khan, Associate Producer, WION Digital 'More than lip service' Freedom to return home late has been expanding by #TwoHours every decade. Will this be the pace of #Womenempowerment — Vanshika Garg (@Vanshika2k14) March 8, 2018 × When India talks about 'Women's day', it seems superficial and overrated. This is the 43rd Women's day and our society is getting liberal with the pace of #TwoHours. Until two decades back, women could stay out of the home until 6 p.m., then 8 p.m. in the next decade, and now, max. up to 10 p.m. And here we are, celebrating the achievements of women. The only thing achieved is #TwoHours. -Vanshika Garg, Editorial Intern, WION Digital 'End of misogyny' On International Woman's Day, I believe we are not far from that day when the invisible glass ceiling that does not allow a woman climb up despite the hard work she puts in will just melt away. Women will not be subjected to snide remarks for struggling to accomplish the herculean task of being a doting mother, loving wife and a committed professional. We don't want to be superwoman because we now know what exploitation the term entails. We are just women. And that is good enough for us. Very importantly, women want to hear less of misogynist comments. No one gets to tell a woman because her husband earns well, she doesn't need a raise for the work she puts in. At work, we don't want special treatment, but don't treat us unfairly. - Madhumita Saha, Opinion Editor 'Don't tell us what to do or how to behave' We are told to respect fear more than respect ourselves. So today, all I want to say to all the women out there - YOU DO YOU! Trust your gut and have power over yourselves. #womensday — Anushka Dixit (@Nushi93) March 8, 2018 × It’s Women’s Day today, and as a woman, all I want is to not be reminded of it...not be told “you’re a woman, you shouldn’t be working so hard on your career”, “oh leave it, you mustn’t do that, it’s way too tough”, “you shouldn’t be working till midnight”, “time is ticking think about getting married.” I still read about how society reacts to women who aren’t your stereotypical lot and are getting out of the traditional thinking. The thinking of “what would society think” bothers me. We are told to respect fear more than respect ourselves. This is, perhaps, why women fear to talk about being strong, powerful and independent. This is why, the courageous women who do take the stage to talk about it, have to clinch onto their hearts when walking on streets because of the sheer fear of being harassed. I still see it. I still read about it. So today, all I want to say to all the women out there is - YOU DO YOU! Trust your gut and have power over yourselves. - Anushka Dixit, Copy writer, WION DIgital 'Life should not end after marriage' #WomenEmpowerment will be established when women will stop compromising with their career after marriage irrespective of any reason#WomensDay — Srishti Sisodia (@srishti_sisodia) March 8, 2018 × Women empowerment is essential because, for hundreds of years, we are living in patriarchal/gender biased society. I agree there are certain places or certain people who still consider women a second-class citizen but things are changing and changes take time. Slowly and steadily the notion of empowering women is gaining pace. In recent years, the status of women have seen positive changes. Most parents are focusing on educating their girl child and helping them to realise their dreams pursue higher education and a successful career. Women also need to stop compromising with their career after the marriage irrespective of any reason. Fight it out, ladies! It isn't always that a woman is forced to leave her job by her family members. Many a time she herself chooses to leave the job to appease others. We see a lot of girls in school and colleges but not at the workplace. The reason is quite obvious- a lot of us grew up dreaming about the fairy tale weddings and holy matrimony but there is so much more to do in life, so much to achieve as an individual other than being a good wife or a mother. I am not demeaning household work but in the contemporary era, self-dependence is the key to happiness. So get up and go to work even when you are 50. PS: Dear husbands, learn to cook and prepare the breakfast some time so that she can leave for office in free mind. - Srishti Sisodia, Copy writer, WION Digital 'React where it is needed' As hard as being a woman in this country really is, I'm proud to be a part of this changing society. One change that I would like to see in my society would be to see people becoming more tolerant towards things. Intolerance becomes a major barrier to change. As seen during the release of a Bollywood movie, the intolerance level in the people of India is shocking and what triggers more is that the information provided to them is not always reliable. Without checking the accuracy of the information, many people get hyper and start reacting in a manner that is not suitable. Such kind of reactions is not seen when an actual crisis occurs, like violence, or a rape, and so on. Reactions should be provided at places where it is needed, and this becomes one thing that I would want to change here. - Nandini Singh, Editorial Intern, WION digital 'Train the boys well' Let's train our boys well. Let's teach them to be self-reliant and raise them as sensitive human beings because only then can the society be free of misogyny and inequalities. And then, every day can be a #WomensDay , no? — Shomini Sen (@shominisen) March 8, 2018 × Our society is going through massive change, no doubt. And while more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of an equal society, there is still a lot to do. There are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed and patriarchy is one of them. As women, we have to deal with patriarchy on a daily basis. Be it at the workplace, where a male colleague can pass an unintentional sexist comment, or at home, where a male member of the family may refuse to help with household chores(because that's apparently not HIS job), or at a restaurant, where the waiter doesn't think you are capable to pay the food bill and gives it to the guy, the struggle is constant. So it is important to train our boys well. Treat your son the way you would treat your daughter- teach him to be self-reliant, self-sufficient and more importantly raise them to become sensitive human beings. Because when we raise our boys well, we get a cohesive, healthy environment where everyone is treated equally. I understand that the change will not happen overnight, but we all have taken a step towards it- so it's only a matter of time that things will change for the better. -Shomini Sen, Assistant Editor, WION Digital 'Change the stereotypes' On International Women's day what I would like to change is the mindset of people and the social norms that stereotype women as the sole nurturer of the society. It annoys me to see that women are treated as unequal. It is unfair to think of them simply as supreme nurturers and goddess of patience and expect them to be always full of kindness and generosity. Instead, let all the women around you have their own space to grow, to make mistakes and stand up again like any other normal human being full of imperfections. Women's behavior is not limited to the kindness and generosity that society has imposed on them. A woman goes through a lot of changes, physically, biologically and emotionally and it would be really nice if society can just leave them alone from stereotyping and always questioning the way she conducts herself. No, our hearts are not always filled with forgiveness and kindness- in fact, it is filled with the same emotions and vulnerabilities that every 'human being' has. - Shivani Kumar, Copy Writer, WION Digital

International Women's Day: Inclusion, tolerance, end of misogyny — the changes that women want

Bollywood films have most often been blamed for promoting misogyny through its cinema. For years women characters have just been used as props in the narrative. Sure, there have been films that have had strong women characters, but those have been far and few in between.&nbsp;

While we have celebrated films like Mother India, Aandhi and Mirch Masala in the past, there are certain films that have changed the tide for the better in the recent past with their strong female roles. These characters have not just changed the way we percieve women in Hindi cinema but have also helped in addressing some pertinent issues plaguing our society. 
 
On Women&#39;s Day, here are the 12 path-breaking roles that changed the way we perceive women characters on screen. 
 
English Vinglish:&nbsp;Sridevi&#39;s comeback was highly anticipated and when she finally did with Gauri Shinde&#39;s English Vinglish, we couldn&#39;t get enough of her. Known mostly for her ultra-glamorous roles throughout her career, Sridevi chose to play an underdog in her come back film. A story of a simple house-wife yearning to gain the respect of her family and thus taking up classes in spoken English- Shashi was easily relatable to most of us and our mothers. More importantly, the film highlighted the immense work that our mothers put in at home and outside.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmGVY4T88dc" width="560"></iframe>

Angry Indian Goddesses:&nbsp;What&#39;s there not to like about Angry Indian Goddesses really? The film celebrates sisterhood in its true sense where a group of seven friends gathers in a quaint villa in Goa for a bachelorette party of one of their own. Their party abruptly comes to an end when one of them goes missing one night. The film perhaps was the first mainstream film to openly talk about homosexuality and raised the importance of acceptance.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dIdxxvph-Vw" width="560"></iframe>

Kahaani:&nbsp;A pregnant Vidya Balan walking around alone in the chaotic city of Kolkata looking for her missing husband made for a very intriguing storyline. With no big male star- the film completely focussed on Vidya Bagchi- the main protagonist, who may on the surface look like a hapless woman in search of her husband, but in reality was a strong-willed woman who came to an unknown land on a mission. And who could have predicted that brilliant climax in the end?

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rsjamVgPoI8" width="560"></iframe>

Queen:&nbsp;How fun can it be to go on a honeymoon alone? Apparently a lot. Kangana Ranaut&#39;s Rani taught each one of us the importance of loving one&#39;s self and putting oneself before everything else. Didn&#39;t we all crave to go on a trip alone after watching Queen? Perhaps the most spirited character of our times, Rani remains one of the most relevant characters in Indian cinema till date.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGC6vl3lzf0" width="560"></iframe>

Anaarkali of Aarah and Pink 
No means no. Two of the most powerful films, Anaarkali of Aarah and Pink spoke about consent and delivered a very pertinent and a strong message. That a woman can sing provocatively, flirt with you even, and wear revealing clothes, but if she says no to a sexual relationship, she must be respected. The four women in these two films were strong-willed and despite the stark backgrounds they belonged to, all these characters &nbsp;echoed the thoughts of women across the country.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jHFT_PdLh20" width="560"></iframe> 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AL2TShb6fFs" width="560"></iframe>

Highway:&nbsp;How many mainstream films in Bollywood have talked about child sex abuse the way Veera does in the end? The film highlighted that no money can buy you happiness and that one can find peace and freedom in the most uncanny of places. Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda&#39;s powerful performances, coupled with AR Rahman&#39;s soulful music made this Imtiaz Ali film a sublime watch.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LSrDD52bx4A" width="560"></iframe>

Margarita With A Straw and Lipstick Under My Burkha:&nbsp;These films had their flaws but still need to be celebrated for they both spoke about women&#39;s desire. In India, to talk about sex and one&#39;s sexual desire openly is considered a taboo, especially for women. A woman talking about what she wants in bed openly is often frowned upon. But both these films celebrated women who were perhaps comfortable expressing their feelings about sex. Be it Laila, a girl with cerebral palsy, who does not mind swinging both ways in Margarita, With A Straw to a 55-year-old Usha Parmar who reads erotic novels and yearns for her hot swimming coach, these women were unabashed and strong in their own unique way.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6zy3F0WVDK0" width="560"></iframe> 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EpHqeHF8NM0" width="560"></iframe>

Piku: Shoojit Sircar&#39;s Piku was a story that most urban, working women could relate to. Deepika Padukone as Piku was financially independent, successful in her career and a parent to her whimsical, hypochondriac father. She had her needs, she wanted to settle down with a man, but more importantly, she gave all her time and energy to her father.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oeiKUlUUNQ8" width="560"></iframe>

Secret Superstar: A spirited, talented young girl not only realizes her own dreams but also helps to free her mother from an abusive marriage. Secret Superstar gave so many of us hope to dream big and more importantly to break free when it becomes ugly. And if a 14year old girl can do it, so can others, no?

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J_yb8HORges" width="560"></iframe>

Nh10: Anushka Sharma starrer NH10 not only was a nail-biting thriller but it was also a film that highlighted a very important point- that a woman can look after and protect herself in terms of crisis. If she is pushed to the wall, she has the strength to fight back and how.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A9icNqWlylw" width="560"></iframe>

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They are spirited, strong, feisty and real

Bollywood films have most often been blamed for promoting misogyny through its cinema. For years women characters have just been used as props in the narrative. Sure, there have been films that have had strong women characters, but those have been far and few in between. While we have celebrated films like Mother India, Aandhi and Mirch Masala in the past, there are certain films that have changed the tide for the better in the recent past with their strong female roles. These characters have not just changed the way we percieve women in Hindi cinema but have also helped in addressing some pertinent issues plaguing our society. On Women's Day, here are the 12 path-breaking roles that changed the way we perceive women characters on screen. English Vinglish: Sridevi's comeback was highly anticipated and when she finally did with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish, we couldn't get enough of her. Known mostly for her ultra-glamorous roles throughout her career, Sridevi chose to play an underdog in her come back film. A story of a simple house-wife yearning to gain the respect of her family and thus taking up classes in spoken English- Shashi was easily relatable to most of us and our mothers. More importantly, the film highlighted the immense work that our mothers put in at home and outside. Angry Indian Goddesses: What's there not to like about Angry Indian Goddesses really? The film celebrates sisterhood in its true sense where a group of seven friends gathers in a quaint villa in Goa for a bachelorette party of one of their own. Their party abruptly comes to an end when one of them goes missing one night. The film perhaps was the first mainstream film to openly talk about homosexuality and raised the importance of acceptance. Kahaani: A pregnant Vidya Balan walking around alone in the chaotic city of Kolkata looking for her missing husband made for a very intriguing storyline. With no big male star- the film completely focussed on Vidya Bagchi- the main protagonist, who may on the surface look like a hapless woman in search of her husband, but in reality was a strong-willed woman who came to an unknown land on a mission. And who could have predicted that brilliant climax in the end? Queen: How fun can it be to go on a honeymoon alone? Apparently a lot. Kangana Ranaut's Rani taught each one of us the importance of loving one's self and putting oneself before everything else. Didn't we all crave to go on a trip alone after watching Queen? Perhaps the most spirited character of our times, Rani remains one of the most relevant characters in Indian cinema till date. Anaarkali of Aarah and Pink No means no. Two of the most powerful films, Anaarkali of Aarah and Pink spoke about consent and delivered a very pertinent and a strong message. That a woman can sing provocatively, flirt with you even, and wear revealing clothes, but if she says no to a sexual relationship, she must be respected. The four women in these two films were strong-willed and despite the stark backgrounds they belonged to, all these characters echoed the thoughts of women across the country. Highway: How many mainstream films in Bollywood have talked about child sex abuse the way Veera does in the end? The film highlighted that no money can buy you happiness and that one can find peace and freedom in the most uncanny of places. Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda's powerful performances, coupled with AR Rahman's soulful music made this Imtiaz Ali film a sublime watch. Margarita With A Straw and Lipstick Under My Burkha: These films had their flaws but still need to be celebrated for they both spoke about women's desire. In India, to talk about sex and one's sexual desire openly is considered a taboo, especially for women. A woman talking about what she wants in bed openly is often frowned upon. But both these films celebrated women who were perhaps comfortable expressing their feelings about sex. Be it Laila, a girl with cerebral palsy, who does not mind swinging both ways in Margarita, With A Straw to a 55-year-old Usha Parmar who reads erotic novels and yearns for her hot swimming coach, these women were unabashed and strong in their own unique way. Piku: Shoojit Sircar's Piku was a story that most urban, working women could relate to. Deepika Padukone as Piku was financially independent, successful in her career and a parent to her whimsical, hypochondriac father. She had her needs, she wanted to settle down with a man, but more importantly, she gave all her time and energy to her father. Secret Superstar: A spirited, talented young girl not only realizes her own dreams but also helps to free her mother from an abusive marriage. Secret Superstar gave so many of us hope to dream big and more importantly to break free when it becomes ugly. And if a 14year old girl can do it, so can others, no? Nh10: Anushka Sharma starrer NH10 not only was a nail-biting thriller but it was also a film that highlighted a very important point- that a woman can look after and protect herself in terms of crisis. If she is pushed to the wall, she has the strength to fight back and how.

12 path-breaking Bollywood roles that celebrate womanhood in its true sense

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