Celebrating simplicity & resilience this Women’s Day: Priti Murthy

This year marks 100 years since the Representation of People Act was passed in Great Britain. A century later, there’s still a long way to go in establishing gender parity. While having a day to celebrate how far we have come is important, we need to make this more open and build blocks to great better outreach, writes Priti Murthy, CEO, OMD India. 

As a working woman, I have been able to straddle this journey with a lot of support. Support from family, friends, and many more. This day, I want to touch upon the support that I have received from my staff (can’t call them maids) at home who have partnered my journey. 

These women who come to clean or cook are equally strong working women, like me, who leave their family and kids behind to make a mark. Some want to build a house (dream home), some want better education for their children, and many want to just have a decent life. These women are no different from their dreams and aspirations. They want their daughters to aspire to live like me or someone like me, who are independent, strong-willed and have a desire to do more. 

In recent past, I have encouraged many of them to take up studying or learn new skills to earn more. For example, instead of just house cleaning can they learn cooking for increasing their income, full-time jobs Vs part time jobs and such. It’s been a humbling experience learning from them on work-life balance – they don’t get weekends off, annual holidays are without pay when they go to their village, leaving kids behind with a neighbour or neighbours’ kids so that they can take more jobs, dealing with unemployment of other family members, abusive partners or father, love, relationships, illness, house shifts – when their shanty is broken down for new parking bays. They have their share of fun, laugh, dress up, enjoy their small and big wins in life. 

One essential learning I have from them is that they keep it SIMPLE. And that’s the beauty of it all. This simplicity is what I take from my staff and try and imbibe every day. 

Ode to all the woman and men in my life, who make it meaningful and straightforward. So cheers to all the beautiful women and men who make us shine.

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