Before you start saying "Happy International Women's Day" then forgetting all about it for a year, a brief understanding of the day.
As new as it may seem, International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's. It is a day to celebrate achievements for women in a man's world while trying to strive to make it an equal playing field.
This years theme is #BalanceForBetter, as it goes, a balanced world is a better world.
“No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.”
-Malala Yousafzai
Balance is not a women's issue, it's everyone's issue.
Now the race is on for the gender-balance in every aspect of our lives, in the boardroom, government, media, employees, wealth, sports coverage, industries, STEM, ...
Today, we are celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
To tell a woman everything she can't do is to tell her what she can
-Spanish Proverb
We should strive for a world were everyone is treated as equal, without gender stereotypes, no bias, just equal opportunities, equal starting points with the same obstacles and the same ammunition to overcome each.
As far fetched as that may seem, some may even call it merely a dream, it can only be realized if we each try in our little way. Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both women and men and leave no one behind.
"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."
-Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist
Equality is not meant to be a topic up for debate but rather understanding and implementing.
2018 was a big year for women all over the globe, including and not limited to :
Time’s Up movement
Female pro surfers won their fight for equal pay.
In Iran, women watched the World Cup in a sports stadium alongside men for the first time in decades. Though the official ban is still in place, it was an important symbolic step in the right direction.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be the second elected head of state to give birth while in office, and the first elected leader ever to take maternity leave.
Saudi Arabia amending its laws so that women can now attend soccer matches. It also lifted a ban on female drivers.
Treasurers from all Australia's states and territories agree to remove the 10 per cent tax on pads and tampons.
"When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back."
-Michelle Obama
For the women in an uplifted position those who have broken through the glass ceiling, its automatically your responsibility to empower and uplift others. I once heard Carla Harris speak in a conference, paraphrasing what she said:
You pass through it, get your notes, help how you can and pass on the play-book
"What's interesting is that I hear a lot of people saying, when talking about girls‘ empowerment and women as well, you’ll often hear people saying, ‘You’re helping them find their voices', I fundamentally disagree with that. Women don’t need to find their voice. They need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen."
-Meghan Markle
In 2019, it is believed that we are basically equal but we are still far from it, even before entering the adult life, there are so much young women have to go through. Enduring being in a class where a male student can ask why you are still in school if you are still going to get married, like wondering how you can balance both. Enduring the pressure of phrases like "your biological clock is ticking" or "you won't be fulfilled'' if what you want does not align with the norm. Enduring sexism, bias, misogynistic behavior in every aspect of life and rising up. Enduring being looked down for a role because women are too weak or too calm or cannot show authority.
Women's day is celebrating:
The women who broke the glass ceilings,
The women chose to be stay at home mum's,
The women who are girl bosses,
The women who chose to balance both,
The women who were the firsts,
The women who were the only,
The women who were brave enough to stand-up
The women who came forward
The women sacrificing
The women in the forefront
The women <Period>
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