International Women’s Day is round the corner, in fact this Saturday on March 8th 2014. Obviously there are going to be several publicized events and talk shows on the telly and in cities.

While the celebration perhaps is to appreciate womanhood, I have realized that freedom to do what you want in life and be what you want to be, means a lot for a woman like me. And that can be any day.

Since the last few months I have been noticing in Bangalore, that there are many women who are attending theatre performances, going to movie halls and having a good time. What’s the big deal, you ask? It’s just that they are perfectly fine going to these shows all alone. No company, no problem. Being alone is fun too when you have to watch the show at peace.

When there is a time constraint and multiple movies or theatre performances being showcased for a limited time, women have now resorted to going to watch performances all alone as one cannot wait for the right company every time. (read husband/boyfriend/friend).

Thankfully unlike a few years ago, the sympathy stares and gossip puddles too have come down. Earlier when a woman went to a theatre or at a restaurant all alone, there would be endless speculations on why she was there all alone (all from strangers). Had written too a piece on this years ago when the stares were deeply ingrained. Literally I could feel every stare and assumption made on me if I ever went to a food joint alone.

Nevertheless happy to say that women are getting used to the unwanted stares or gossip or perhaps the speculations of a woman going to watch a movie or theatrical show or have a meal is seen as a normal thing.

Happy Women’s Day, everyday. This year the theme apart from the UN theme is Inspiring change.  Let me hope women can actually inspire others to change for good and for a better world in a male dominating society.