Happy International Women’s Day! While, March 8th may seem like just any other date on the calendar, it is the significance of the day that gives us an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It gives the world a moment to pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made over the past century – and we’ve definitely come a long way baby.
However far we’ve come in our march to become women leaders, innovators, and to achieve gender equality, breaking down many barriers that our mothers and grandmothers never knew were possible, we must also recognize that there is still much more work to be done to achieve a world where we are not limited to having the title of “woman” attached to our achievements or being chosen just to fill the diversity quota. Women need to strive to be known as the best person for the job, period, and to remember that we are capable of doing anything we set our minds out to do.
The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the early 1900s when women across the world were fighting for their rights. In 1908, women in New York City marched for better working conditions and the right to vote. Two years later, at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, a woman named Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day to advocate for women’s rights globally. The first International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, with over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland attending rallies and demonstrations. Since then, International Women’s Day has become a global movement that celebrates women’s achievements and calls for gender equality.
One of the biggest challenges that women face today is the global gender pay gap. Women, on average, earn less than men in nearly every country around the world. This is a problem that affects women of all ages and all professions. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed, not just for the sake of women but for the sake of society as a whole. When women are paid less than men, it undermines their economic security and their ability to contribute to their families and communities.
Another issue that women face today is the lack of representation in leadership positions. Women are underrepresented in government, business, and other fields that shape our society. This is a problem because women bring a unique perspective to leadership roles that can help address the challenges facing our world today – especially when you consider we make up half of the world’s population.
So why do we need to embrace International Women’s Day? Because it’s important to celebrate and be inspired by the achievements of women who have paved the way for this new generation and have shown our gender just what is possible when you focus on the talents of the individual and not limit them by the title of their gender.
We need to acknowledge that gender equality is not just a women’s issue but a human issue that affects everyone. We need to empower this generation of women and the next generation to take on more leadership roles and to speak out against injustice. We need to create a world where women are treated with respect and dignity, where they have equal access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities. While it may be true that women in modern day societies have many freedoms and the ability to be whoever they want to be and to do what they set out to do – work in STEM fields, run corporations, serve as our representatives in government, etc. — we have to remember that many women in other countries are still fighting the fight. We need to support their battles.
To empower the next generation, it starts with education. Teaching young girls they are valuable and that knowing their worth will allow them to realize that they can be anything they want to be and that their gender should not limit their aspirations. Creating safe spaces where girls can learn and grow without fear of discrimination or harassment will empower them not to stand in the shadows, but to step into the spotlight. Encouraging girls to take on leadership roles and to speak out against injustice will tear down the last walls that keep women from reaching their true potential.
Let’s take time to embrace International Women’s Day and bring meaning to the phrase, “I am woman, hear me roar”. Be bold, be daring, and be the best woman, or better yet, the best person you can possibly become. Always empower the next generation to continue to climb the mountain of success, and when we reach the top, roar like the world has never heard before. You go, girl!
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