International Women’s Day: A global holiday adopted by the United Nations in 1977, celebrated on March 8th. For some countries, it’s a public holiday, and for others, it’s observed socially or locally.
Do you wonder why there’s a dedicated holiday to celebrate women? An international one, no less?! Because women are incredible. Yes, we are! You don’t have to apologize for that sentiment, either. It’s not presumptuous. It truly is praise-worthy.
For centuries and throughout history, women have played very traditional roles. Raising children and taking care of a home. That was the established practice. However, women have now come to fill other roles in this modern world. Ones that lie outside the home; part-time work, full-time jobs, executive positions, business owners, and political placement. It is not to say that a woman who chooses to stay at home and take care of her family is an inferior role. No. It just means they now have the choice to do that, rather than the expectation.
This societal shift has provided the world with an opportunity to celebrate women and their successes. Social success, cultural and economic accomplishments, and even political performance. These achievements are the direct result of distinct efforts that definitely deserve a place of recognition.
But alas, despite the encouraging progress, a gender gap still remains.
For some countries, that gap is significantly wider than it is for others. It may also look different according to the culture. But there are nearly 200 universally recognized countries, and not a single one has achieved gender equality for its people. Equal parts are often hard to come by. Even when you’re trying to divide a cookie in half for your kids. So, while it may never be a definitive 50/50, achieving greater balance is attainable.
These numbers below? They’re not balanced.
- Did you know that women earn 23% less than men globally?
- Did you know that women only occupy 24% of the seats in parliamentary?
- Did you know that 1 in 3 females have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their life?
{statistics courtesy of the United Nations organization}
So, while we can (and should) celebrate all the advancements, we still need to bring awareness of continued inequality. We need to fight back against the stereotypes and bring attention to violence and abuse against women.
History of International Women’s Day:
This day has origination dating back to 1909 when it was first celebrated in New York City. Initially regarded as National Women’s Day, the movement was then adopted by European delegates the following year during an International Socialist Women’s Conference. And from that point, organized groups of women from countries worldwide started to demonstrate their advocacy for equal rights, the demands to vote and hold public office, and protests against gender discrimination in the workplace. And finally, in 1977, March 8th was commemorated as a worldwide observance of International Women’s Day.
Back in the 1940s, some countries even observed the holiday by giving women a half-day off. Can you imagine if we did that now?! What would happen if every single woman got the same half-day off? I’ll tell you what would happen. The world would temporarily shut down, and people would be hungry. Big and small.
Jokes aside, it speaks to something when we know that women help keep this earth on its axis. And with such an essential task at stake, why is it so difficult to eradicate the discrimination that exists between males and females?
Evidently, we are still trying to figure this out. So, as a society, we must continue to advocate, educate and motivate others to stand behind the change.
#BreakTheBias:
For International Women’s Day, the UN selects a theme each year to spotlight a specific issue that helps raise awareness and enable people to address it with intentionality. The theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias
Think about living in a world free from gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Gloria Steinem, a world-renowned feminist, activist, and journalist, once said, “The Story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
You don’t have to be a ferocious feminist to feel empowered by the energy behind this call for action. Women’s rights are a form of human rights. We are human, and our sole role in this society is not simply to bear and birth children. I genuinely love being a mother more than anything, but it is not the only role I identify with.
We are called to serve a purpose in this life, one that extends beyond the four walls of our homes. I think a part of everyone’s purpose is to be an ambassador for human rights.
Breaking the bias is more than a movement; it’s a mission. You can advocate without making headlines or causing a commotion. Action and reaction can begin with the way we talk, how we think and how we act…on a daily basis. It’s the lessons we’re teaching our children. It’s using our voice even when we’re scared. It’s the positive affirmations we give ourselves. And it’s the collective efforts we make with other women in our jobs, schools, churches, and communities. They call this the ripple effect. It starts with one and spreads outward. Are your actions magnified by this effect?
We teach our children that every action has a reaction, and it may be a consequence or a change.
The future is shouting from the other room. It’s looking for a commitment to change. You know exactly where it’s at. Go make some waves!!!
