Women’s day means different things to different people. For some, it’s a day-long celebration of women and their contributions. For us, it’s an opportunity to start a dialogue, to hear unique perspectives from different corners of the global TerraPay workforce. This International Women’s Day, that’s exactly what we did!

As part of our IWD celebrations, we asked some of our colleagues, both men and women, to give us an insight into their world - their inspiration, vision, and goals. Here’s what they had to say:

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

Achieve work-life balance, it is so difficult being a career woman trying to prove yourself in an organization, while on the other side you also have a family to look after - a husband, growing kids who need support with daily life challenges, and basic things like cooking a healthy meal daily. I find that with the daily pressures of being a working woman, you end up sacrificing one over the other.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

I find that a lot of times when you approach potential partners they do listen but not the same way they would listen to the opposite gender. Women are soft and caring in nature. Sometimes you are not taken seriously, especially with careers that are dominated by the opposite gender. There is a lot of unconscious bias and remarks about physical appearance.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

Ordinary women who go out there to prove their worth in a so-called male-dominated industry. Women like my mother and sisters, who got out there in the cold or heat to fend for their families against all odds.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

Open and honest dialogues amongst younger and older women, an exchange of experiences for career-driven women, who are also house executives, finding work-life balance.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

• - Eat well with a free mind

• - Laugh more

• - Keep up the tolerance level

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

An Indian woman has an inbuilt strength to face stereotypes right from home. She is made to be strong. First of all, we should stop negative self-stereotyping. Forget and forgive negative experiences.

For me, I try to build a positive self stereotype which makes me stronger. Also one must understand that every human being is different and as a woman, we have distinct strengths which cannot be compared with others. Every strength should be respected and every weakness should be accepted.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

So many of them! Starting from my mom to Padma Shri Dr. Sudha Murthy. With every achievement by any woman, I get inspired. Patience and tolerance in these women are the main strengths that inspire me the most.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

Do what I like!! On a lighter note, I want to cook what I like today instead of cooking what others like

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

I do not believe in resolutions, if it needs to be done or if something needs to be addressed then it should be addressed then and there.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

I do not see anything as stereotypes. I like to address any roadblocks then and there. I like finding a resolution immediately and moving on. One of the stereotypes I would like to address as part of an organization (I did bring this up when I joined Terrapay) is to pay attention to single women and their presence as much as anyone else. This is very important – inclusivity comes with awareness, so bringing this awareness within our culture is very important.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

There are so many of them! Starting with my mum to the women in my family and the women who grew up with me, to our many house-helps, to women leaders across the globe, some of whom I have fortunately worked with. The common factors that inspired me were the courage, conviction, and commitment they bring to anything they truly believed in.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

A celebration is when an important event is accomplished, so for this day at TerraPay, I would celebrate 70+ women employees, all those women who lift each other up, and all those men who demonstrate inclusivity without effort. I look forward to celebrating many more such events for and at TerraPay.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

As the theme for this year's women's day is “breaking the bias", my resolution will be along the same lines wherein I will start implementing this with myself and the least that I can do is not be biased about what I can or cannot do.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

I challenge them by doing the smallest possible thing myself, be it travelling alone, managing my expenses, filing my taxes, leading business calls, etc. These are some small tasks but I solely do them end to end. :)

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

There are these 4 women, my pillars - my mother, my 2 aunts, and my grandmother. They hold a very special place and each of them has taught me the best lessons. The most frequent ones I hear are "don't be too lazy to get dependent on a man" & "don't be so proud of yourself to ignore the importance of a man"

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

I am planning to treat myself, which acts as a booster for me. Just a reward for all the hard work that I put in, and what's better than a good meal.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

Give time to me. Be simple and humble

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

Being assertive, planning meetups, learning, and gaining more knowledge.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

My elder sister and on the professional front, it is Sudha Murthy.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

I would like to celebrate with my family. Else it would be in office

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

• - Be motivated, believe in myself, and work on my self-confidence

• - Help my peers feel comfortable at work and do their best

• - Empower others to grow on both professional and personal front

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

Never shying away from difficult conversations instead, I present facts and share real-life experiences. I’m always open to discussing and debating, trying to understand different points of view, and trying my best to enable change.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

Women who are determined, knowledgeable, humble, kind, and those who have challenged the stereotypes themselves. Two women who have inspired me are my mom and Sudha Murthy.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

Be happy, work towards my resolutions. Also, I’d like to meet more of my friends, if possible

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

To make sure I put a smile on every woman I cross paths with on this day.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

I speak up and make my opinion heard no matter who I am dealing with, to reiterate that no 2 people are the same and that everyone should be treated fairly without profiling or stereotyping.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

Madam President of URT, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took over the presidential role after the sudden death of the late President Magufuli. She is leading our country with no fear or hesitation amid all that was said about her gender and the challenges she is facing as a woman. Aluta Continua.....

All women who have played the roles of both mother and father. The breadwinner and the homemaker, the cuddler and the disciplinarian. Those who are strong yet very dainty. The fighters - those who pushed barriers and defied the status quo. Those who are proud of who they are and have inspired men and women alike to reach for their goals and live their full potential.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

I start each day by reminding myself what it means to be a woman and what it took for us to be here. I then enjoy the rest of the day celebrating other women around me to remind them of their greatness and be greater than yesterday physically, mentally, and spiritually.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

Manage my time well so that I have time for myself. Understand when and what needs to be prioritized. Help yourself, before you can help others.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

Be courageous and create an environment free from bias.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

Sudha Murthy and of course, my mom.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

Encourage everyone to break the bias and create an environment where everyone feels heard and accepted for who they are. Breaking the bias starts with YOU.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

To make sure even the silence of women is heard.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

Trying to be the best in what I do.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

Indira Gandhi, Michelle Obama, and Terri Irwin are some of the women I admire.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

It is a new dawn for me with TerraPay, looking forward to celebrating with all the magnificent women here.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

The pandemic forced us to stay indoors, this year is to make up for the time lost by stepping out. Be grateful and celebrate life’s blessings and achievements, big or small. Enhancing my knowledge by completing professional courses. Focus on improving physical and mental health.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

Improved and effective communication with complete knowledge is extremely important. It’s imperative to listen carefully and react without any assumptions. We come from diverse cultures and have our beliefs it is important to respect the same for everyone and not allow any prejudices.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

School starts at home and everyone’s first social interaction also starts at home, it was no different for me. The most inspiring woman in my life has been my mother, she has been my anchor since I was a child. Her encouragement and belief pushed me to move from a small city like Kanpur to Mumbai. She has been the fuel to my fire, which allowed me to strive harder and grow to become a better person both personally and professionally.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

Connect with my colleagues, especially those whom we have not been able to meet and speak with for over a year. Be inspired by others Take time to reflect on all the positives and work towards self goals.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

My resolution is to educate one person every day on treating women and men equally (I believe it should be done with 365 people by the end of a year!)

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

By not thinking if something can be done by a woman or not and providing opportunities equally.

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

I live in a household with a majority of women. I am inspired by my granny, mom, wife, and sister. They challenge the status quo every day.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

By telling everyone not to celebrate this one day, but to respect and treat women equally every day.

What is your International Women’s Day resolution(s)?

Elijah Muhammad said, "When you teach a man, you teach an individual; but when you teach a woman, you teach a nation/family/generation", I truly believe in this. My Resolution has always been: To create an environment wherein they can live fearlessly and be themselves and are recognized for all the contributions they make.

How do you challenge stereotypes every day?

By proactively helping women to be independent in everything they do (As opposed to being dependent on the men of the house to help them do the work).

Tell us about the women who have inspired you.

My elder sister and mother who, despite having faced all odds, have not only taken care of the family well but have also built their businesses successfully.

How do you plan to celebrate IWD this year?

To celebrate digitally with all the ladies of my life, my mother, sister, my wife, and of course, my two daughters.