March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day every year. Chocolates, flowers, a day of pampering, a break from regular chores, it’s a day when women are made to feel special for their existence. Well, guess what? Women’s Day is just another day of the year. For one day of the year, women receive some token appreciation from those around them. Frankly, there is no point in making a woman feel special for one day when you are going to treat her like an inferior being for the rest of the year. Women would much rather be respected and treated fairly 365 days a year than be handed a token gift on one day of the year.

If you are wondering how you can truly celebrate Women’s Day and #BreakTheBias, here are a few ideas that the women in your life will truly appreciate.

1. Cull the locker room talk

The locker room is basically just a “safe space” for men to talk trash about women and their bodies. The excuses for this atrocious practice are always “men will be men” and “we need to be able to say what we want without fear”. But locker room talk just shows your true colours, dear men. If you truly want to respect women, start talking about them with respect even when they are not around. And if you see someone trash-talking women, call them out and ask them to stop. Because being silent is being complicit. Cut out the sexist jokes and comments on a woman’s body. Nobody needs those unsolicited jokes and opinions. You can put them where the sun don’t shine…respectfully.

Related: Boys Locker Room: What You Need To Teach Your Sons About Women

2. Take a look at how the women in your life are treated

How are the women in your life treated, not just by others, but also by you? Your mother, sister, girlfriend, domestic workers, colleagues, neighbours – do you treat these people as equals or as someone inferior? Are they treated in a condescending manner, are their opinions dismissed without a second thought? Put yourself in their position and think about it. If they are treated in a less than desirable manner, speak up. And if you are the one treating them in an undesirable manner, educate yourself and do better. Hold yourself and the people around you accountable for their actions towards women.

3. Support their dreams

The world repeatedly tells women what they can and can’t dream of. They don’t need to hear that from their family and friends too. If the women in your life have a dream or passion they want to pursue, think of ways to support them and not demotivate them. Help them grow their business if they have one, support them in pursuing higher education if they so desire, and just let them live their life peacefully in a way they see fit.

Related: How To Raise Strong, Confident Daughters: 10 Things You Need To Stop Doing At Home

4. Make professional spaces accessible for women

This doesn’t mean just hiring women. Hire women for positions they are qualified for, not what you think is best for them. If she deserves to be a CEO, give her that seat. And stop asking female candidates questions like, “When are you getting married? Will you be allowed to work after marriage? Oh, you just got married, you might be planning a baby, we don’t think you can manage a job and a baby.” Stop holding a woman’s biology against her. And while we’re on the subject, normalise period leave for your menstruating employees. Periods can be crappy enough as it is and the pain is unbearable for some women. So, give your menstruating employees a day off to recuperate and rest, and don’t think it’s “extra leave for being a woman”.

5. Stop asking women if they are PMSing

Like every other human being on the planet, women fall under the species of homo sapiens as well. They have feelings and emotions. Having an outburst of anger or a tendency to cry does not automatically mean a woman is PMSing. So, stop attributing her emotions to PMS. And dear men, take a cue and start expressing your emotions too. No need to hold it all in. A good cry can be quite cathartic.

Related: If You Want True Equality, Why Do You Have A Problem With Period Leave?

6. Stop with the stupid questions

“Arey, when will you get married? You have been married for a few years now, when are you planning a baby? Why do you only have one kid? You should try for one more at least. Why are you working when your husband has a good job? Shouldn’t you be staying home to take care of your kids? You are a housewife? You must be sitting home doing nothing all day? Tumhari toh mauj hai.” This is just a glimpse into the infinite stupid questions women are frequently asked. No, we don’t want these questions and you don’t need the answers to keep living your life.

A bouquet or an expensive gift is not gonna cut it this Women’s Day, guys. If you truly wish to celebrate the women in your life, start treating them with respect throughout the year instead of just one day.

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