Don't wait for gifts, modern women need to honor themselves

Confident women will decide for themselves what they want and try to achieve their desired goals - Illustration: QUANG DINH

"Many places are celebrating March 8th just for show"

* What is the significance of days dedicated to honoring women such as March 8 (International Women's Day) or October 20 (Vietnamese Women's Day), ma'am?

- Women's Day is meaningful for both women and those who love women. Everyone wants to be cared for and loved, so having a day to care and love will be valuable for both.

Honoring someone on a certain occasion is a good thing to do. However, honoring is only meaningful when that day is an opportunity for them to appreciate each other more, not only on that day but also on the rest of the days. Honoring will become a formality if it only happens on March 8 or October 20, other days will belittle and look down on women.

Dr. Pham Thi Thuy - Photo: NVCC

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you do on Women's Day. Some people give flowers, some give gifts, some do nothing - just being together is enough.

Or in a family, the husband goes into the kitchen to cook a meal for his wife, no need to be fussy, no need to imitate someone.

The form of honor is not important, the attitude on that day and the attitude on other days is what people aim for.

Honoring women on March 8 is to remind everyone to cherish their value in the family and in society.

The value of gifts on that day does not say much, it is just a way of caring, a way of loving that each family, each organization has a different way of expressing, there is no common measure.

* How is the concept of honor understood when March 8 is to remember gender equality in labor?

- To honor is to exalt someone or something. Not only women need to be honored, but every gender, every industry and profession should be honored - their value recognized.

In fact, the nature of honoring is a good traditional cultural value. But it is worth mentioning that in reality, March 8 in many places is being celebrated just for formality.

I feel that March 8 is now an occasion to stimulate shopping and consumption through the form of giving gifts to women.

Modern women are increasingly independent, they do not attach too much importance to receiving gifts on this occasion, even if necessary they buy gifts for themselves.

They are not sad when not given, nor do they ask for anything, because they understand that their value is their inner equality with others, their respect for themselves and the attitude of others towards them.

Modern women, confident women who know how to appreciate themselves will not expect gifts that are only superficial and material.

The real way to honor is to treat each other with respect during the process of living and working together, not just in one day. We should not follow trends, when another family gives a gift, we also give a gift, when this agency gives a gift, we also follow suit.

Women need to honor themselves

* The role of women today has been greatly enhanced. In your opinion, what needs to be done so that gender equality is not just a formality for a day or two?

- Equality is the equality of opportunities and benefits. Gender equality is the equality of opportunities and benefits between men and women and other genders. Equal treatment means that all genders have equal opportunities, from opportunities to participate in social activities, learning opportunities, career opportunities... Then, depending on their abilities and needs, they have the opportunity to strive for that.

Now women have stepped out into society more, their role is not only limited to the family, but also at the national and world level. However, in terms of behavior, somewhere there is still a phenomenon of disregarding women's capacity, especially somewhere there is also a phenomenon of violence against women, we need to speak up so that society truly respects and protects women.

Women who have a good sense of themselves will not expect gifts from others. If they want, they will give themselves gifts, invest in themselves and do not necessarily take March 8 seriously. These are women who know how to appreciate themselves, know their value, honor themselves anytime, anywhere, and show their value in action.

Dr. Pham Thi Thuy

I believe that women need to honor themselves. I am reading the book "Women's Dignity", which has sold 3 million copies in Japan, which talks about respecting and cultivating good qualities in women in particular and people in general.

Women's qualities are inner virtues such as responsibility, honesty, courage, kindness, love, and caring for others...

Women who know how to honor themselves will always know how to cultivate and improve their dignity. Then women will affirm their own value without needing anyone to recognize them, their value is shown through their contributions to family and society.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khong-cho-qua-phu-nu-hien-dai-can-ton-vinh-chinh-minh-2024030711453631.htm