Flagging Fear?

A text message on my mobile opened my eyes to Sunday morning.
It was, I learnt, a day marked to commemorate and rejoice the achievements of women in all walks of life, from yesterday through tomorrow. The message thanked me for being a source of support and inspiration. I reciprocated the “hug”, but could not help muse if an earmarked day on the calendar did really mean much and, if it did matter, how would it be celebrated?

Of all the phrases, images, feelings, actions and events that have had their way of making their presence etched, regardless of the proximity of my association with them, fear holds a special place. No, it’s not a form of phobia and as a matter of fact it has no definite form at all. Odd as it may sound, it has been a strange sort of guarding companion right from my adolescent years. And, I understand from my conversations with female friends and family members that they share this personal bond too.

As women the world over join their efforts to observe the 99th year of the International Women’s Day, it is not surprising to see flags of protest against fear herald this celebration.