By Deborah Monari
Every year on 8th March, we celebrate Women’s Day—a moment to raise awareness, amplify voices, and fight against discrimination and sexism. But in a world where violence and abuse against women continue to rise, these conversations can’t be limited to just one day. They need to happen all the time.
Abuse isn’t just physical; it takes many forms—financial, emotional, sexual, psychological, and digital. Yet, many women don’t recognize when they are being abused or feel powerless to leave. Some lack support from family or community, while others face judgment when they speak out. But here’s the truth: ending violence against women is not just a victim’s responsibility—it’s society’s.
It’s easy to say, “Why didn’t she leave?” But how many times have we excused a perpetrator? How often do families tell women to “just endure” for the sake of their children? How many women are shamed for seeking justice?
If we want to break the cycle, we need to stop protecting abusers. Stop dismissing women’s pain. Stop romanticizing suffering as a badge of strength. Strength is not enduring endless disrespect; it’s having boundaries and choosing yourself.
Women are expected to be superhuman—to sacrifice their dreams for their families, to put everyone else first, to be ever patient and forgiving. Society has glorified the woman who never complains, never rests, never says no. But let’s be clear:
* A woman’s strength is not measured by how much she endures.
* She does not have to give up one part of her life to focus on another.
* She does not have to live on someone else’s timeline.
From a young age, girls are told they have an expiry date—that success, marriage, motherhood, and career choices must fit into a limited window of time. That their worth is tied to how much they give up for others.
This needs to end.
We need to teach girls that their dreams are valid at any age. That they can be strong without being silent. That setting boundaries is not selfish—it’s necessary. That they get to define their own purpose.
For too long, women have been told who they should be, what they should accept, and how they should live. It’s time to break free.
This Women’s Day and beyond, let’s have real conversations. Let’s hold each other accountable. Let’s stand with survivors. Let’s teach the next generation that women don’t have to choose between being respected and being loved, between ambition and family, between strength and softness.
Women are not meant to fit in a narrative . They are meant to break barriers. Let’s make sure they can.
Deborah Monari ; Advocate for Medical and Social Justice.