International Women's Day 2022

International women’s day, March 8^th, not only highlights and celebrates the important achievements of women globally but sheds light on the ever-present gender inequalities prevalent throughout the world. First celebrated in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark in 1911, when women campaigned for improved working conditions, pay, and voting rights, over 100 years later International Women’s Day is celebrated by men, women, and children globally.

Undoubtedly, the movement of gender equality has made incredible progress over the last 111 years. However, it is important to remember the inescapable fact that inequalities and restrictions based on factors such as gender, race, or religion are still commonplace within society. International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of these inequalities and just how far we still have to go to reach parity between all, but also prompts us to look forward to a more promising and equal future for women.

Some examples of modern-day inequalities include the fact that only 2 members of the US Coronavirus Task Force are women, although 70% of healthcare and social care occupations globally are held by women. Also, of the 19,000 UK university professors, only 27% are women, and only 35 are black women. In the US women make up 51% of the population, yet only 27% of congress. Women also statistically pay more for common household items such as shampoo and deodorant. These are but a few of many examples, which is why the World Economic Forum has predicted that it will take 213 years to eliminate the global gender pay gap.

International Women’s Day 2022 is all about #BreakTheBias, and encourages us to ‘Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality’ (www.internationalwomensday.com/). Subjectively we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions, this year International Women’s Day prompts us to assess our own thoughts and to break the bias in our own communities, workplaces, school, and universities.

"Women learned better than most of their male peers that you either share or you self-destruct. And because they were not powerful enough to create change by force or by edict, they mastered the arts of negotiation in resolving conflict, skills of cooperation, co-responsibility, caretaking, and compromise. These human arts have taught women how to survive through solidarity and cooperation rather than antagonism and competition. This is the wisdom that the world has need of now."
- Madonna Kolbenschlag in ‘Eastward Toward Eve’