Shireena Shroff Manchharam reflects on what it means to be a woman today

As the conversations around International Women’s Day fade and we return to our usual digital consumption, I find myself caught between genuine inspiration and the overwhelming online noise. The flood of “empowering” posts left me both exhausted and inspired – moved by the incredible women I admire and the often-overlooked, everyday women who shape my life. Being on holiday during IWD, away from my usual routine, gave me space to reflect on my values, the influences in my life, and the future I want to create.

Honouring our personal values

We often hear about the importance of defining and honouring our personal values. When we are younger, our values tend to be aspirational rather than fully embodied. With time and life experience, we refine them – discarding what no longer resonates and holding on to what truly matters. I frequently reflect on my values – how they shape my thoughts, actions, and decisions – and this introspection requires stepping away from work, family, and routine, even if only briefly. A simple reset to realign with what truly matters.

However, in the age of social media and content creation, there’s a risk of reducing values to aesthetic statements – carefully curated images paired with trendy rhetoric. It’s easy to proclaim what we believe in without fully living those values. Are we all guilty of this to some extent? Absolutely. But true empowerment lies in stepping back, clearly defining our values, and making a conscious effort to live by them every day.

Words like empowerment, support, uplift, and success surface frequently during IWD. But rather than merely repeating them, I challenge myself to ask: Where and how do I embody these values? Am I doing enough? Am I being genuine? What can I change and improve? Without taking the time to reflect, it’s easy to fall into the habit of talking about values rather than taking action to uphold them.

The women who shaped my world

Recently, I had meaningful conversations with friends about the profound impact our families and relationships have on us. It struck me that who we are is not only shaped by our experiences but also by the people closest to us. It’s easy to take these influences for granted, but recognising and appreciating them is vital.

There’s a well-known saying: “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” When I think about the five women who are closest to me – my daughter, mother, sister, best friend, and cousin – I see the immense role they play in shaping the woman I am today.

My mother, raised by another remarkable woman, embodies resilience, love, support, truth, and beauty. These qualities are not just buzzwords; they are deeply ingrained in who they are. Their unwavering love has been a constant, their truth has guided me even when I didn’t want to hear it, and their resilience has shown me how to navigate challenges with grace and dignity.

Their beauty is not just in appearance but in the confidence and self-worth they carried, passing that strength to the next generation. My daughter challenges me to be the best version of myself, both as a woman and a mother. My best friend and cousin, unwavering in their support, remind me of the importance of having strong women in my corner. We need these relationships in our lives, and we must take the time to acknowledge, celebrate, and express gratitude for them.

The future me

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to honour the achievements of women, advocate for equality, and drive change. But real progress depends not only on how society treats women – it also depends on how we, as women, treat each other.

If you believe in support, empowerment, and uplifting others, go beyond words. Tell a friend, a stranger, or even someone you’ve had differences with why you admire them. Offer genuine, heartfelt gratitude. Let that energy fuel your own growth, pushing you to be better in thought, action, and behaviour every day.

Change for women shouldn’t be confined to a single month – it should be an ongoing commitment, driven by kindness and intention, every single day.

Shireena Shroff Manchharam is a Her World Tribe member, the founder and principal consultant of Sheens Image Consulting, and the founder and creator of Getting to Happy, a mental health movement to inspire our community and society to live happier, more mindful lives.