In a society that often praises women for their careers, titles, accolades, and career achievements, it is easy to forget the women whose work happens quietly behind the curtains, unseen, unheard, uncelebrated, taken for granted at times, yet essential.
Stay-at-home women are often behind the scenes, doing so much, yet, they are labelled as "unemployed," or "just a mum," or "just a wife," when, in truth, they are the ones who carry families on their shoulders, bringing warmth into a home, hope into despair, strength into weakness, healing into pain, peace into conflicts, wellbeing into worry, joy into anguish, and wrap their loved ones in comfort and safety.
They turn a house into a home, a plate into a meal, a day into a bright moment, a night into a peaceful retreat, creating a place of harmony, comfort, and belonging.
Their sleepless nights, their unseen tears, their unheard cries, their desperate cries out for help, their silent untold stories, and their quiet pains often remain hidden as scars behind their smiles and in the depths of their eyes.
The meals they prepare with love, the way they care for everyone during sickness, and the countless roles they embody as a parent, caregiver, teacher, mentor, coach, nurse, doctor, chef, friend, and protector are acts of devotion that rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
Single mothers carry an even heavier load, balancing both roles at home and, for many, with responsibilities outside the home as well.
The weight they carry is enormous, yet society rarely pauses to appreciate their strength or the efforts they make, analyse and accommodate their needs. And let us not forget the caregivers or the ones who suffer from illness or pain, yet who continue to nurture even as they face their own illnesses or struggles.
Their giving hearts do not stop, even when their bodies are tired or fail.
Not all of us have our great grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, teachers, neighbours, or friends beside us today.
Still, each of us has known a woman who touched our lives deeply, someone who planted seeds of love, kindness, strength, and courage in our hearts, someone who cheered for us even when no one else was watching, and someone whose shoulders were a comfort in our struggles.
Today, we also celebrate the women who are no longer here, whose voices may be silent but whose impact continues to live within us.
Their lessons, their sacrifices, their strength, and their love remain woven into the fabric of our lives.
They left footprints, smiles, songs, laughter, poems, stories, values, pictures, artefacts, and wisdom that time cannot erase but only treasure.
Women have stood, and continue to stand, beside men through battles, struggles, and victories, often as the backbone, the support, the steady presence that holds families and societies together.
Their roles cannot be defined by a single word, title, definition, or story, but via a myriad of stories. Her influence extends far beyond herself; she is the first carrier, the first listener, the first teacher, the first comfort, and the first guide.
Over the centuries, women's issues have been at the heart of discussions, heated debates, and social, religious, economic, and political movements. From early struggles for basic recognition and representation to global campaigns for equality and equity, women and some men have fought tirelessly for women's rights, dignity, and well-being.
Their voices have challenged unjust hierarchies and systems, reshaped laws, and transformed societies. Progress has been made: many doors have opened to welcome women, opportunities have expanded, and many legal reforms now protect and empower women in ways previous generations could only dream of.
Yet, despite these advancements, the journey toward full equality and equity is far from being reached.
Even today, in the 21st century, countless girls and women continue to face racism, discrimination, limitations, and restrictions; many are denied education, deprived of leadership, underpaid for equal work, or discouraged from pursuing dreams simply for being a woman.
Others face cultural, social, economic or political barriers that restrict their freedom and limit their potential.
They are denied opportunities, excluded from decision-making, or discouraged from pursuing dreams. And in many parts of the world, women still suffer from violence, exploitation, and systemic injustice that threaten their safety and their futures.
Too many women and girls lose their lives to violence every year, victims of femicide, abuse, rape, racism, discrimination, or systems that failed to protect them.
Some are imprisoned, some unjustly, punished for speaking, learning, dreaming, or simply existing in ways that challenge oppressive norms.
Others find themselves homeless, carrying untold stories and pain, and searching for safety while carrying the pains and hopes of a better day.
And still, women rise. Even in the darkest and most challenging moments, they carry hope, a hope for a better day.
They resist, they stand, they nurture, they rebuild, they dream of better days.
Their courage is a reminder that change is possible, and that a more just, kind, empathetic, and compassionate world can be built, one where every woman is safe, respected, valued, and free.
Throughout history, women have shaped societies in many ways, both visibly and invisibly.
They have contributed to the family, education, sciences, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, literature, economics, and every field of human progress.
They have been healers, caregivers, leaders, innovators, artists, thinkers, teachers, educators, philosophers, scholars, protectors, and builders of communities.
They have stood at the frontlines of change and behind the curtains, unseen, uncredited, but felt and essential.
Some of the greatest sheroes in history are the quiet ones whose names the world may never know, yet whose work, sacrifices, and love have shaped generations and continue to do.
The beauty of women's diversity is one of humanity's greatest strengths and gifts. Women of every race, culture, language, faith, religion, and background bring unique wisdom, traditions, customs, and perspectives.
They are powerful and delicate, strong and gentle, fierce and compassionate, proud and humble, loud and quiet, proving that womanhood is not one form, one voice, or one path, but a vibrant tapestry of experiences that enrich the world like a flourishing garden, each woman adding her own colours, fragrances, perfumes, aromas, flavours, lights, beauties, richness, and uniqueness.
As a society, we must do better. We must create systems that protect, uplift, acknowledge, and support women. We must build structures that ensure respect, inclusion, equality and equity.
Awareness matters, and change begins with each of us.
In our own small ways, we can honour women by respecting them, treating them fairly and justly, kindly, and with the dignity they deserve, and by helping and supporting them, starting with the women in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities.
On this Women's Day, may we celebrate every girl and every woman, those who nurture, those who grow, those who learn, those who walk, those who run, those who lead, those who climb, those who conquer, those who rejoice, and pray for those who fall, those who heal, those who fight, those who struggle, those who suffer, those who are wounded, those who cry, those who are no longer with us, those who hope, and those whose quiet strength holds the world together.
And may we commit ourselves to creating a future where all girls and women, everywhere, can live without fear, with respect, dignity, value, equal opportunity, love and hope.
All Girls and Women Matter.
Nadia V. Pietro Monaia is an Ethiopian‑Eritrean and Italian multilingual and multicultural PhD research student at the University of Exeter (UK), within the Graduate School of Education at the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
The author can be contacted at: nadiamonaia@gmail.com
