By Matters India Reporter
Bhubaneswar, March 12, 2024: As many as 500 Catholic women in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneswar celebrated the International Women’s Day by pledging to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality through education.
The women came to the March 10 event from various Mass centers of the St. Vincent Cathedral Parish in the Odisha capital.
The program began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. The Divine Word prelate, in his homily, commended the women for attending the program in significant numbers and said that if all women could embrace dignity, self-respect, and equality in their daily lives, there would be no need to observe Women’s Day on a specific date.
The archbishop wanted the empowerment of all women within his archdiocese, encouraging their active participation across all aspects of the Church and society.
The event took place at Maa Velankini Mass Center in the Salia Sahi Slum of Bhubaneswar, which was set up as a temporary facility to accommodate the increasing number of Catholics, who came to the city following the 2008 anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal district.
Sacred Hearts Sister Sujata Jena, secretary to the Commission for Women of the Archdiocese, in her opening address said that the annual observation of women’s day would not make women equal.
Only “conscious and regular” attempts by both men and women would help avoid people falling into the sin of patriarchy, she said and cited several instances where laws to prevent discrimination against women are being violated, despite the constitutional guarantee of equality.
Sister Jena also pointed out nobody wants to give up power willingly. She urged girls and women to actively resist oppressive structures consistently.
Stressing that empowerment is a personal choice, the nun quoted B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, to encourage women to pursue education to demand their rights. For this, she wants them to organize with confidence, and decide never to surrender in life.
The day was marked with skits and dance performances by different women’s groups, focusing on the theme of “Inspire Inclusion” and “Educate Girls, Save Girls.”
The guests included Mary Lakra, additional secretary to the Odisha government’s Excise Department, Anna Kerketta, senior scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research, and Mary Bage, retired former head of the Department of Sociology at Utkal University Bhubaneswar.
Lakra, in an overview of the history and importance of International Women’s Day, highlighted the pivotal role of mothers in nurturing their children. She encouraged mothers to engage in the human and spiritual development of their children, believing it to be essential for their success in life.
“When you experience empowerment, carry it forward to other women. Instead of engaging in gossip, support and encourage each other during challenging times, and celebrate each other’s successes,” said Kerketta. She stressed the importance of women’s education and cited biblical figures as examples of women who exhibited unwavering faith, wisdom, courage, and confidence in the face of life’s challenges.
Bage highlighted the importance of educating girls and women. She believed that education enables individuals to lead dignified lives by making informed and wise choices.
The event was organized on behalf of the Commission for Women, Conference of Catholic Bishops in India, Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar unit.
Octogenarian Apolina Tirkey was honored during the program for her five-decades-old steadfast commitment in uniting the women of the archdiocese.