LETTER | March 8 is observed as International Women’s Day and it is a time we celebrate with love our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives and honour their contributions - big and small - to the family, community and country.

Many women by their hard work, diligence, education and leadership qualities have become exemplary and serve as an inspiration to others.

Throughout history women, despite being described as the fairer sex, better half and weaker sex, have had a tougher time as compared to their male counterparts.

However, despite the hardships women face at present, things are getting brighter. The 21st century has been envisioned as the century of women, as women are poised to make great progress in all walks of life due to their education and emancipation from conservative societies that restricted women’s advancement and potential.

Women are already becoming transformative and dynamic in various societies and countries, and are increasingly helming political, social and corporate positions and excelling, even overtaking the men.

The future can only get better and brighter, and women in high positions need to tirelessly campaign and lobby for equal opportunities for women and also for their protection. Men and women, if they work shoulder to shoulder can create a better, safer and egalitarian world.

Women to help other women

On this Women’s Day, I would like to mention a Pakistani lady police officer named Sheher Bano Naqvi - who rescued a woman, dressed in an outfit that had Arabic calligraphy on it and which was mistaken for verses from the Quran - from being lynched for blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan.

Blasphemy is a serious and sensitive offence in Pakistan and offenders are normally lynched by mobs before police arrive to save the victim.

The brave and noble act of the police officer has been lauded in Pakistan and worldwide. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has invited the lady to Saudi Arabia as his royal guest and has given her a befitting award for her selfless devotion to duty and bravery.

On the other hand in India, police are in hot pursuit of seven culprits who sexually assaulted a female Brazilian tourist in the state of Jharkhand.

These two episodes show the two facets of women - notably their bravery and vulnerability. Women leaders need to go out of their way to help other women, be it to create more socio-economic opportunities, better protection for the weaker sex or ending all forms of discrimination.

With an equal relationship between men and women, the world will become a better place and this should be one of the messages of Women’s Day.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.