Each woman is capable. They just need to be fearless and have the mental strength to stand up for themselves and their beliefs, says Chazat Lowang, IRS officer, in a candid interview with Naina Jha of Bureaucrats India on the eve of International Women's Day. Here are excerpts:

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

Patriarchy is so deeply etched in our traditions, culture and our socio-political system that women's issues need to be addressed everyday at various social economic and political levels. I think celebrating one particular day as women's day has the potential to work as a reminder of the long fight that we have covered so far which is a cause for pride but it also serves as a reminder of the long path ahead to achieve a fair resolution of those issues.

Share your journey as a woman bureaucrat. What have been some of the most exciting moments?

Being a woman bureaucrat gives me a unique and rare opportunity to prove that women belong as strongly and equally deserve to be in the professional arena as men; that women can professionally excel and be ambitious too. Being a bureaucrat gives me the responsibility of taking some important decisions for the people which feels very empowering professionally. Also hope that I will be able to inspire at least a few women around me.

Where do you think you feel empowered or disempowered in your own story as a woman and as a bureaucrat?

I belong to a small community called the Noctes of Tirap district, Arunachal Pradesh. This region is still battling insurgency besides being economically lagging behind. I happen to be the first woman bureaucrat to join Central Services from my community and the district. This makes me feel empowered everyday that I have an opportunity to represent my community in the capital of India. 

At a personal level, I feel empowered to be in a position where I can take my own decisions based on what is good for me instead of being bogged down under societal set norms and pressure. I don't think I felt disempowered ever. Yes, I do face difficulties because of my gender in a male dominated world but it only motivates me to live my life more independently.

What challenges or privileges do women bureaucrats face, based on their gender?

There are always some preconceived notions around a woman bureaucrat. We are often seen as "lady officers" rather than just officers. 

What myths related to women bureaucrats need to be changed?

A woman is as capable as any man to hold the most important positions in bureaucracy, and excel in it.

What does the idea of being empowered mean to you?

The idea of being empowered for me is very closely related to how I live my life on a daily basis. Am I able to make decisions independently about my professional and personal life. There are so many stereotypes about how a woman should lead her life..be it marrying at a certain age, behave in a certain way, dress in a certain way, a woman is incomplete without motherhood, without a husband and so on. Being empowered means to me is to be able to create my own rules in life which works for me despite all these stereotypes.

I am 32, not married, in a very happy relationship. Besides work, I focus on fitness. I work out 5 days a week, eat right. I have been learning pole dance/pole fitness for six months now and have recently signed up for aerial silk. I think to be able to live life on your own terms is what makes me feel most empowered.

What is your message to young women  Civil Services aspirants and officers on the International Women's Day?

I would like to tell them that each one of you is a star, capable of so much in life. You just need to be fearless and focussed and have the mental strength to stand up for yourself and for your beliefs.