International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration that takes place every year on March 8th. The day is dedicated to recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to raise awareness about inequality and advocate for women’s rights around the world.
This year’s theme for IWD is “Choose to Challenge”, encouraging individuals to challenge bias and inequality against women in our everyday lives. It is a call to action for everyone to actively work towards creating a more equal world, where women have the same opportunities and rights as men.
However, it is important to note that every day should be a day to celebrate women. Women play an essential role in our society and make countless contributions every day. Women are how each and every one of us came into the world, as every person has a mother who carried them for nine months and gave birth to them. Women play vital roles as caregivers, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in our communities and beyond.
Despite our immense contributions, women continue to face discrimination and inequality in various forms. All over the world, women are paid less than men for doing the same job, have limited access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities, and are subjected to sexual violence and harassment.
Celebrating women and our achievements should not just be confined to one day but should be a continuous effort to promote equality and women’s empowerment. One way to do this is to support women-owned businesses, which can help to close the pay gap and promote economic growth. Another way is to advocate for policies that promote equality, such as paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and equal pay for equal work.
We can also challenge stereotypes and biases in our daily lives, such as questioning the language used in job ads or questioning the lack of diversity in leadership positions.
In conclusion, International Women’s Day is a crucial reminder to celebrate the achievements of women, but it is equally important to recognize our contributions every day, where we are valued, respected, and given the same opportunities as all men.
