International Women’s Day Worldwide

Many Brahma Kumaris centers across the world organized programs to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) under the theme: Empowering Women in the Changing World of Work. Here is a summary of a few of the events that took place:

India: Radio Madhuban

Brahma Kumaris’ community radio station, Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM observed International Women’s Day with great fervor and joy in the local tribal community of Abu, a small region in Rajasthan, India, with “Be Bold for Change” as the theme. The radio team was invited to celebrate this day with students, teachers and staff of the Royal Rajasthan School in Abu, Rajasthan. Brahma Kumaris Jasu, from London, and Kerin, from Holland, also graced the event. They inspired the attendees to learn spiritual life skills and uphold morals and values in life. BK Jasu particularly highlighted the importance of mothers in everyone’s lives and urged the students to always hold their mother in the highest authority.

BK Krishna, Production Head at Radio Madhuban 90.4 FM, encouraged students to respect women of all ages, including their classmates and treat them with dignity and equality. The team presented certificates to students for their academic and co-curricular excellence. There was a lively interaction among all.

BK Jasu presenting a student with her certificate

Twenty five tribal women participated in a workshop organized on 7th March 2017 in village Luniyapura, Abu Road, which focused on women’s health. Dr. Rashmi, Pathologist at RMMGH Trauma Centre, Abu, guided the participants about their health and emphasized on the importance of vitamins and minerals in diet as a measure for preventing many ailments. This workshop gave them an opportunity to freely interact with our team and talk about their issues. RJ Usha also shared her life experiences and inspired everyone to be bold and courageous in difficult times. The participants used this platform to sing and dance in the spirit of womanhood.

Another public program and panel discussion was organized on 8th March 2017 in which fifty women from villages in Abu participated. The panel, comprising of Dr. Kanak Srivastava, Chief Officer, Village Outreach Programs, Global Hospital and Research Center, Mt. Abu, Advocate Avdesh Deval and BK Sudha, Director of Brahma Kumaris in Moscow, Russia, effectively discussed various aspects of women empowerment and gender equality and addressed the participants’ questions about their families, life, career and health.

While BK Sudha said that being bold means to uphold one’s values and live a principled life, Mr. Avdesh highlighted some special laws and schemes for women. Dr. Kanak reiterated the ill-effects of substance abuse and encouraged the local women to live healthy lives. Ms. Rekha, a blind lady who regularly listens to shows on the Radio, shared her story of how Radio Madhuban has changed her life for better. This was an inspiration for everyone. Everyone enjoyed the programs and thanked Radio Madhuban for organizing and celebrating this special day.

Leicester, UK

There was a lovely event held at Harmony House, Leicester, with the aim of empowering personal growth by means of expressing our inner worth through song, dance, meditation and dialogue. One highlight was, “the secret of change is to focus your energy, not on fighting,…but on building the new.”

New Jersey, USA

An interactive event entitled, ‘Let’s Gossip.’ Continue reading…