Women Must Be Celebrated Every Day!
I intended to publish this blog on March 8th-International Women’s Day, and since I was having a challenging week, I couldn’t focus on completing it. I was going to skip it altogether and then realized that as much as International Women’s Day is imperative to acknowledge and celebrate, we should celebrate women every day.
The earliest reported Women's Day observance was called The National Woman’s Day and was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City, organized by the Socialist Party of America. Since then, it has evolved into a global celebration highlighting the achievements in the women’s rights movement with particular attention to gender equality in employment and education, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. It’s also a necessary time to continue to bring awareness to discrimination, sexism and misogyny.
The last few years have been a rollercoaster ride, with highs of incredible solidarity with the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements to the lowest of lows with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and a new level of disturbing misogyny.
The #MeToo and #TimesUp moments were exciting and disturbing. Exciting because an unprecedented number of women came forward to tell their stories of sexual harassment and violence in the film, media, education, science, politics and sports institutions. What was disturbing was the prevalence of incidents and how long powerful men were protected for their illegal activities.
I’m convinced these important movements were the impetus for overturning Roe v. Wade and the increasing misogyny directed at women in public positions. The timing of the backlash and pushback was not a coincidence.
I think it’s essential to zoom out to ensure you have a clear picture of what is happening. Yes, we have things to celebrate, and at the same time, we have slipped back to the 1950s in many ways. I’m still in shock and angered over Roe v. Wade and cannot believe it’s legal to take away a woman’s right to choose and put her life at risk.
It's disturbing beyond my comprehension that honour killings still exist, young girls in some countries cannot access education, and many female politicians leave politics because they fear for their lives and their families lives. Add being a member of the BIPOC or the LQBTQ+ communities, and you are dealing with many more layers of discrimination.
If you’re a woman, don’t you get tired of the expectations placed on us or being judged for being:
Too fat, too thin.
Too hot, not hot enough.
Too stylish, too frumpy.
Too blonde, too grey.
Too dumb, too smart.
Too lazy, too ambitious.
Too quiet, too opinionated.
OR
Not having children, having children.
Having children and not returning to work, having children and returning to work.
Or, as English comedienne Ellie Taylor says, “Just daring to be alive!”
While researching for this blog, I discovered something unfamiliar called The Matilda Effect. “The name was coined in 1993 by science historian Margaret W. Rossiter, referencing suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage’s essay Woman as Inventor. Published 100 years before, Gage describes the bias against acknowledging the achievements of female scientists, instead attributing their work to male colleagues.” Source
Unfortunately, this is still happening far too much today. Dr. Gladys West is an American mathematician and was a key player in the invention of the GPS and didn’t receive the recognition that she deserved until 2018.
Enough of the zoom-out; now let’s zoom in and focus on what we can celebrate and elevate ourselves out of despair.
Every year Time Magazine publishes a Women of the Year List. I’ve chosen four remarkable women from their list to highlight:
Ayisha Siddiqa
In Pakistan, Ayisha Siddiqa saw the devastating effects of climate change on her community and was inspired to speak up, delivering a powerful speech at November’s U.N. Climate Conference in Egypt on the urgency of climate justice. She is the co-founder of Fossil Free University and Polluters Out.
Veronica Cruz Sanchez
In Mexico, the feminist activist Verónica Cruz Sánchez has long helped women safely navigate abortion restrictions and is now turning her attention north, supporting American women affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Olena Shevchenko
In Ukraine, Olena Shevchenko spent years advocating for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. Russia’s war has made marginalized groups even more vulnerable, and Shevchenko’s work is all the more urgent.
Anielle Franco
In Brazil, Anielle Franco turned to politics after her sister Marielle, a city councillor in Rio de Janeiro who campaigned against police violence and corruption, was assassinated in 2018. Now, as Minister for Racial Equality in Brazil’s new government, she is channelling her grief into action. “I lost my fear when they killed my sister,” Franco says. “Now I fight for something much bigger than myself.”
What Can You Do?
Please be sure to educate yourself and acknowledge where things are at.
Research women's incredible accomplishments in science, politics, sports, media, art and education and share their stories.
Show up by getting involved. Join an advocacy group for women’s rights, attend protests, and write letters to politicians and corporations about the inequalities.
Support women. Buy from women-run businesses. Support female artists and organizations. Vote for female and male politicians who support women’s rights.
Call out bad behaviour.
Ensure that you are not participating in destructive behaviour. Eliminate the words bitch, whore, and c**nt from your vocabulary. We must stop participating in anything that brings women down and focus on UPLIFTING OUR SISTERS.
Stop victim blaming.
Don’t give up! Remain fully committed and available for hope and change.
Women’s Rights are Human Rights.
We can have a huge impact when we stand up and push back. We must continue to dream that a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination is possible. We must continue to imagine a diverse, equitable and inclusive world. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
Rejoice in yourself and others.
Be well.
Anita