MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE

SOCIAL DISTANCING – DO’S AND DON’T’S

The word Social Distancing is the hot topic at the moment, be it government announcements, social media or the law enforcement agencies all talking about, it a means of survival. let’s see what it actually means. Social distancing, or physical distancing, is a set of infection control actions intended to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. The objective of social distancing is to reduce the probability of contact between persons carrying an infection, and others who are not infected, so as to minimize disease transmission, morbidity and ultimately mortality.

With the spread of COVID-19 the importance of social distancing has become an essential element of our lives. Social distancing is most effective when an infection can be transmitted via droplet contact (coughing or sneezing); direct physical contact, including sexual contact; indirect physical contact (e.g., by touching a contaminated surface); or airborne transmission (if the microorganism can survive in the air for long periods). It may be less effective in cases where an infection is transmitted primarily via contaminated water or food or by vectors such as mosquitoes or other insects and less frequently from person to person. Drawbacks of social distancing can include loneliness, reduced productivity and the loss of other benefits associated with human interaction. Historically, leper colonies and lazarettos were established as a means of preventing the spread of leprosy and other contagious diseases through social distancing, until transmission was understood and effective treatments invented.

Measures

In modern world Social distancing measures used to control the spread of contagious illnesses like COVID-19 include:

·         School closure (proactive or reactive)

·         Workplace closure, including closure of "non-essential" businesses and social services ("Non-essential" means those facilities that do not maintain primary functions in the community, as opposed to essential services.

·         Isolation.

·         Quarantine

·         Cordon sanitaire

·         Protective sequestration

·         Cancellation of mass gatherings such as sports events, films or musical shows.

·         Shutting down or limiting mass transit.

·         Closure of recreational facilities (community swimming pools, youth clubs, gymnasiums)

·         "Self-shielding" measures for individuals include limiting face-to-face contacts, conducting business by phone or online, avoiding public places and reducing unnecessary travel

·         Greetings, Social distancing practices, including gestures that avoid physical contact, reduce the risk of becoming infected during flu pandemics. The gesture of placing one's palms together, fingers pointing upwards, drawing the hands to the heart, is one non-touch alternative. Other

alternatives include the wave, the shaka (or "hang loose") sign, and placing a palm on your heart, as practiced in parts of Iran, Turkey and other Muslim countries.

·         Wash your hands frequently, regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

·         Maintain social distancing, Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

·         Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

·         Practice respiratory hygiene, make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

·         If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

·         Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

·         The right way is to work from home.

The parade was not the only reason for the difference in death rates, but the figures show the importance of measures now known as “social distancing” can have during pandemics. “Social distancing refers to a way of creating a barrier of physical distance between two or more people so that transmission of virus can be prevented or halted,” says Arindam Basu, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the University of Canterbury, in New Zealand.

As compare to Spanish flu of 1918, Just over 100 years later, the world is facing another pandemic, this time from a different virus – the Covid-19 coronavirus. Today the global population stands six billion higher than it did in 1918. While Covid-19 is different in many ways from the Spanish flu – particularly in terms of who it affects and its mortality rate so far – there is a very important lesson about the difference social distancing can make. It might still be one of the best ways of fighting this pandemic.

With the spread of COVID-19 many countries around the world are now experiencing different measures in an attempt to enforce social distancing to slow the spread of Covid-19. They range from ending mass gatherings, closing public spaces like leisure centres, pubs and clubs to closing schools and in some places a total lockdown with people forced to stay indoors.

Here one more important thing is to mention that there is a lot of difference between isolation, quarantine and social distancing. While self-isolation is a form of social distancing, there is an important distinction to be made. Self-isolation and quarantine are aimed at preventing people who are infected or are known to have had contact with people who are infected from passing on the virus. Social distancing is a wider measure aimed at stopping the kind of mixing of people that allows infections to spread through a population.

But there is a good reason why social distancing has become such an important strategy in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Importance of social distancing is evident from the fact that each person infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus is thought to pass it on to an average of 2-3 other people in the early stages of an outbreak. This contagiousness is measured by epidemiologists using something known as a “reproduction number”.

Social distancing has to be maintained for quite a while as COVID-q9 incubation period – the time between infection and symptoms appearing – has been found to be around five days, although it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear, according to research in China. If you are infected, and continue to socialize as normal, it is likely you will pass the virus on to between two and three friends or family members, who could each then go on to infect a further 2-3 people. Within one month one case can lead to 244 other cases in this way and in two months, this soars to 59,604.

The worse thing about this virus is that it also thought to be able to spread from people who have been infected but yet to show any symptoms. An estimated 1-3% of people who catch the disease will remain asymptomatic. These people might not know to self-isolate, but if they observed good social-distancing practices would be prevented from spreading the virus unwittingly.

Based on all these things there is already some evidence that staying at home, and maintaining a safe distance from others, can slow the spread and stop this domino effect. Research looking at infections in Wuhan showed that the introduction of large-scale control measures saw the reproduction number in the city fall from 2.35 to almost one. When a reproduction number reaches one, the number of cases will stop rising as effectively each infected person is passing it on to just one other person.

One of the main aims of social distancing is to “flatten the curve”, which means delaying the spread of the virus so it reaches people more slowly. The scientists looked into two potential methods of tackling the pandemic in simulations of the UK and the US populations. The first, mitigation, focused on only socially isolating those most at risk and quarantining those with symptoms. The second, suppression, involved everyone in the population taking steps to social distance themselves while those with symptoms and others in the household quarantine themselves at home.

The cycle does not stop here, the trouble is, when people start meeting together again, the virus will start spreading and cases are likely to rise. Which is why we may see a stop-start approach to social distancing, where measures might be eased a little, allowing the number of cases to rise before stricter measures are put back in place to keep infection levels within the bounds of what health services can cope with.

In the last I would like to highlight few things that each one of us should adhere strictly while exercising social-distancing during COVID-19 pandemic. 

IF YOU ARE WITH NO SYPMTOMS:

·         AVOID GOING TO BARS AND RESTAURANTS

·         DON’T INVITE   FRIENDS OVER TO HOUSE FOR A DINNER PARTY OR A BOARD-GAME NIGHT.

·         STOP DATING.

·         DON’T GO TO THE GYM.

·         DON’T GO OUT  GO FOR A WALK OUTSIDE WITH A FRIEND, AUNLESS YOU STAY SIX FEET APART AND NEITHER OF YOU FEELS SICK.

·         AVOID MAXIMUM GOING TO THE GROCERY STORES.

·         AVOID PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

·         CANCEL EVENTS LIKE BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND WEDDINGS.

·         AVOID VISITING ELDERLY RELATIVES?

·         CANCEL HAIRCUTS AND OTHER NONESSENTIAL APPOINTMENTS.

·         AVOID COMMUNAL SPACES IN MY APARTMENT BUILDING?

·         LIMIT PHYSICAL INTERACTION WITH MY PARTNER, OR OTHER PEOPLE I LIVE WITH.

·         DON’T TAKE KIDS TO A PLAYGROUND.

IF YOU ARE WITH SYMPTOMS:

·         DURING WAITING OUT OF A  14-DAY QUARANTINE, DON’T HAVE VISITORS EVEN THEY STAND FAR AWAY FROM YOU.

·         DON’T WALK AROUND OUTSIDE AT ALL WHEN I’M UNDER QUARANTINE.

·          

May God protect us all from COVID-19 and other epidemics and pandemics.

BY: OVAIS ASAD KHAN

HOARDING A SHAMEFUL ACT

HOARDING; its Meaning and implications

The act of collecting large amounts of something and keeping it for yourself, often in a secret place or to accumulate money, food, or the likes, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use, etc. is hoarding.  Hazrat Muhammad (May peace be upon him) as saying: No one hoards but the sinner.

When we talk about hoarding than it refers to compulsive need to find and keep objects, animals or trash regardless of their value. Examples of Items commonly hoarded include newspapers, photographs, boxes, clothes, food, furniture, paper and plastic bags, appliances jewelry ,electronics and many more. Depending on how extreme a person’s hoarding is, the behavior can impact their physical or emotional health, relationships, financial and legal stability, and professional aspirations.

As we all know that hoarding is haraam, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one hoards but one who is in error.” Islam forbids hoarding because of the harm that it causes to other people. The scholars differed as to what is included in hoarding. Some of them said that it refers only to food. Some said that it applies to everything that people need and will be harmed if it is withheld. This is the view of the Maalikis and was narrated in one report from Ahmad. This is the correct view which is in accordance with the apparent meaning of the ahaadeeth meaning that hoarding is haraam without distinguishing between food for humans and animals, and other things. The fact that the word food is specifically mentioned in some reports cannot be taken as specifying the general meaning of the other reports which speak of hoarding in general, rather it is mentioned by way of example

Hoarding of essential items like wheat, barley, rice and oil etc during periods of shortages with the intention of selling them at higher rates to people who are compelled to purchase them is Harām and a Greater sin. It is promised Hell-fire. Surprisingly Muslims and non-Muslims both at this critical time of Corona Virus Pandemic are indulging this heinous element of hoarding just to earn some profit not knowing that if some of their own loved one got hit if this epidemic spreads then what that hoarded money of their will do.

Further Messenger of Allah (S) says that he heard from Jibrīl (a.s.) that there was a valley in hell and fierce fire blazed in it. When he asked the caretaker of Hell about those who would be put there he said that it was for Three groups: The hoarders, the drunkards and those who earned commission on unlawful deals.

However, Hoarding is not Harām under three conditions. A person can hoard essential commodities when people do not need those items or if the need arises it is possible for people to fulfil their needs. Also when hoarding is done to fulfill the future needs of your family and not with the intention of selling it at a higher price. Other than this it is Harām and a Greater sin. It is the duty of the Hakim al-Shara to convince him to sell at a reasonable rate. But if he does not agree the Hakim al-Shara has the authority to purchase it at moderate rates and sell the food grains to the needy people.

What is going around now a days in our surroundings? Almost the entire world is now under Corona Virus Pandemic and it’s there for several weeks and shoppers are still panic buying and raiding the grocery store shelves and medical supply counters.

Under such circumstances what I believe that worst type of human are the hoarders. They are on both sides, sellers who are hoarding things to sell them later at high prices and buyers who are buying in bulk not realizing that once these items will be short on the shelf others won’t have even for their necessity. Even if stores enforces the policy of max two items per person of certain items, sneaky customers would have their kids go through the line with two units and nothing else, or return to the store on multiple occasions, but at least they were playing by the rules. It’s quite understandable that stores are incredibly busy and employees must be swept off their feet and stressed, why have they not established purchase limits? It shouldn’t be up to the online community to hold these lizards accountable.

With this act of such buyers they’re creating safety issues. People are uptight. Some are angry. The last thing we want is vigilante justice in a supermarket because those who play by the rules are incensed with those who don’t. It could turn ugly and it almost has. More serious is the fact that by hoarding food, others might do without.

Here we are not realizing a very basic fact that some people simply don’t have the means or financial abilities to buy in bulk. They can only afford a weekly trip to the grocery store, imagine their anxiety when there’s no bare essentials left on the shelves. This is just one side of the story while the other and the worst side are the sellers, both whole sellers and retailers. Most offensive is some of the hoarders, we’re sure, won’t be putting all of the meat in their freezer or hand sanitizer and toilet paper in a storage room. They will try and resell it.

In their greed to earn heavy profits they are not realizing few basic things that kids may go hungry due to a lack of supplies, others may die, they might be able to make a quick buck from someone else’s unfortunate. People won’t have medicines, masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and hand-washes which are the need of hour either they are too expensive or are not available. At this critical juncture being a compassionate human being I was just thinking (dreaming) that stores and manufacturers will start selling some of these items at no profit no loss bases as their little contribution to save the human race, but alas dreams are dreams far from reality, we are just destined to doom.

In the last I just humbly request both type of hoarders that please put limits in place. Hoarders develop a conscience and show some compassion. Someday, it might be you who’s in that same situation. So let’s just think as a human being and let’s play our role in saving the world, saving the man kind and saving the humanity. 

BY: OVAIS ASAD KHAN

COVID-19

CORONA (COVID-19) IS NOT ANOTHER NAME OF DEATH.

Corona virus indeed is a threat for the entire world now as it has become a pandemic but with all his negativity it has jolted the entire world and certain good things can be connected with it. As the air around the world is getting cleaner; less pollutants entering the sea, streets are less noisy. Families are spending time together, less planes flying around the world, luxury cruise ships are not dirtying up the sea, and people are looking at local solutions for needs, and taking the time to wash their hands.  Even the eating habits are changing. The hectic pace of the world has slowed down significantly. We're breathing consciously. We are grateful to God for being alive, though living under the looming danger of COVID-19. One thing is for sure that YES, we will overcome the scare of this virus sooner or later But I hope before we jumped upon to previous lifestyle we use this time as an opportunity to introspect to know slowing down is not a bad thing, for last century and more  it’s a mad  mad race which we have run.. trying to overtake nature by manifolds. It’s right time to be calm, to breathe & pray, it’s time to do a detailed analysis of our lives and create a harmonious balance with other stakeholders of this planet or just get ready for another pandemic fear.

Let’s see as what is corona virus? Corona viruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others, such as canine and feline corona viruses, only infects animals. Rarely, animal corona viruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of corona viruses that originated from animals and then spread to people. So all saying that certain movies or books even Simpson cartoon has indicated about this disease decades ago are not wrong as they have mentioned Corona not COVID-19.

A novel corona virus is a new corona virus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the corona viruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. One must keep in mind that a diagnosis with corona virus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common corona virus diagnosis.

Peculiar thing about the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why it is recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer poses a risk of infecting others. When it is OK to release someone from isolation is dependent on a case by case basis and includes meeting all of the following requirements:

Ø  The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Ø  The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.

Ø  The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.

Ø  Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.

As we all know that quarantine means separating a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not developed illness (symptoms) from others who have not been exposed, in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease, the period of quarantine is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar corona viruses. Someone who has been released from COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others because they have not developed illness during the incubation period.

Although it is believed that Corona viruses are generally thought to be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Therefore before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Another myth connected with the disease which is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. It is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer.  There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing. It is recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

How to prepare to combat against COVID-19

Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community.

Ø  Stay home when you are sick

Ø  Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit

Ø  Limit movement in the community

Ø  Limit visitors

Ø  Implement steps to prevent illness (e.g., stay home when sick, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, and clean frequently touched surfaces daily).

Ø  Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.

Ø  Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).

Ø  Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.

Ø  Clean your hands often

Ø  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Ø  If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Ø  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Ø  Avoid close contact

Ø  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Ø  Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Take steps to protect others

Ø  Stay home if you’re sick.

Ø  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

Ø  Throw used tissues in the trash.

Ø  Wear a face mask if you are sick, If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick.

Ø  Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

The World Health Organization on Friday raised its risk assessment for the spread of the corona virus to “very high”. It’s the highest risk level the organization has and comes as the number of countries reporting cases rises to almost 160. There are now roughly 183,000 cases worldwide and more than 6000 causalities around the world.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

·         Fever

·         Cough

·         Shortness of breath Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·         Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

·         Bluish lips or face.

One must keep in mind that this list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

Preventions against COVID-19:

Most alarming this is that there is currently no vaccine to prevent corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

v  The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

v  The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

v  Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

v  Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Have Thoughtful days.

BY: OVAIS ASAD KHAN

IWD-2020

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY 2020

“A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her.”

Almost every country around the world is celebrating International Women's Day , today ,Sunday, March 8. It is been celebrated as a day not only recognizes the achievements made by women, but also brings awareness to the obstacles that still stand in their way. International Women's Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. Since the commemoration of International Women's Day today ranges from being a public holiday in some countries to being largely ignored elsewhere. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood.  The earliest Women's Day observance, called "National Woman's Day," was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City, organized by the Socialist Party of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. There have been claims that the day was commemorating a protest by women garment workers in New York on March 8, 1857, but researchers Kandel and Picq have described this as a myth created to "detach International Women's Day from its Soviet history in order to give it a more international origin". The International Women's Day date was moved to March 8 in 1913.

The day is an official holiday in Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia. However the day is celebrated on a larger scale in all other countries of the world where it’s not a public holiday. In Pakistan, the Aurat March has challenged misogyny since 2018.

“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.” –Hillary Clinton

International Women Day aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development. International Men's Day is also celebrated on November 19 each year. International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

The UN theme for International Women's Day was: 'I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights' with hashtags as #IWD2020 #EachforEqual. The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in the International Women's Year, 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace. However in the twenty–first century, in the West, the day was increasingly sponsored by major corporations and used to promote feel–good messages, rather than radical social reforms. In 2009, the British marketing firm, Aurora Ventures, set up a "International Women's Day" website with corporate sponsorship. The website began to promote hashtags as themes for the day, which became used internationally. The day was commemorated by business breakfasts and social media communications that were reminiscent of Mother's Day greetings

Since 1996 the United Nations provides an official theme for the International Women’s Day and for 2020 International Women's Day campaign the chosen theme is #EachforEqual. An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. So let's all be #EachforEqual. This year 8 March, International Women’s Day is a time to

✔ Challenge gender norms,

✔ Empower each other,

✔ Celebrate diversity,

✔ Break stereotypes,

✔ Reject the binary,

✔ Mobilize, and

✔ Take action.

From the word of slogan of “Generation Equality” we simply focus on issues facing women across generations, with young women and girls at the centre. The benefits of gender equality are not just for women and girls, but “for everyone whose lives will be changed by a fairer world”, the chief of UN Women said in her message for International Women’s Day (IWD) at UN Headquarters on Friday, being celebrated in New York, ahead of the official day.

“Well-behaved women rarely make history.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee said “It is time for us to own our issues, we must own our agenda, and we must own our narrative…the struggle for equality is a long way ahead, but with young women on our side, we can surely win”. While supporting the gender equality the youngest female Prime Minister in the world, Finland's Sanna Marin said that her country promotes gender equality as a cornerstone of society and the only way to change this is “to get more girls coding, more women into tech, and more women into office where they can exert influence. In support of all women and girls’ rights, she said “I will not walk back on the progress we have made…and I will push back on anyone who claims that women do not need to be present in government changes and boardrooms”.

In addition to these statements UN Secretary-General António Guterres said “I am a proud feminist , Only through the equal participation of women can we benefit from the intelligence, experience and insights of all of humanity, he further said It is more important than ever for men to stand up for women’s rights and gender equality”.

This year hundreds of events had been mobilized to demand progress on closing the gender gap in countries worldwide. A global comic and cartoon competition, around the theme Beijing+25 and Generation Equality was launched in partnership with Belgium, France, Mexico and the European Commission, calling on the younger generation to envision how they see gender equality. It is also important to mention here that growing up, International Women Day has felt like a celebration, and while it is one, it’s also important to recognize the day as a marker. An indication of how far women have come, and how much further they need to go.

“To tell a woman everything she cannot do is to tell her what she can.” –Spanish Proverb

In the end I would like to say that supporting and celebrating women’s rights is a year-round responsibility. As we all know that March has been the designated time frame used to draw special attention to the remarkable ladies in our country who have made incredible contributions to our society. Between remembering and appreciating Eleanor Roosevelt’s inspiring career, Maya Angelou’s vision and voice for justice, groundbreaking female pilots like Amelia Earhart, the fearless leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, and thousands of other exceptional examples, from which we can gain a lot of inspiration and learn from their efforts and experiences. The revolution hasn’t stopped and even today, history continues to be made through the efforts of influential females like Carmen Perez, co-founder of the Women’s March, Brené Brown, research professor, speaker and best-selling author Ava DuVernay, and so many more. So I hope that next year when any of us will be writing a blog about IWD name of few of my blog readers will be there in this list of greats.

“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” –Malala Yousafzai

ALL THE BEST LADIES & HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY.

BY: OVAIS ASAD KHAN