International Women’s Day: Choose to Challenge

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day dedicated to recognizing and advocating for gender equality across the world. From the early 1900s, International Women’s Day (IWD), which is observed every year on March 8, has served as a focal point for the global advocacy of women’s rights and empowerment.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is “Choose to Challenge,” urging people to speak up against gender injustice and bigotry in all facets of life. The COVID-19 epidemic has brought to light the persisting difficulties that women experience, including the disparate effects on their work and the growth in gender-based violence. As frontline workers, caretakers, and community leaders, women are spearheading the battle against the epidemic, demonstrating the resilience and power of women in the face of hardship.

We shall examine the history and significance of International Women’s Day in this article, as well as the current challenges and accomplishments of women all across the world. In light of the epidemic and its effects on women, we will explore the progress made towards gender equality as well as the work that has to be done. Lastly, we’ll talk about what individuals can do to combat gender prejudice and make the world more egalitarian for people of all genders.

History & Significance of International Women’s Day

The first decades of the 20th century saw the global emergence of women’s movements, which is when International Women’s Day first appeared. In recognition of a walkout by garment workers, the United States celebrated the inaugural National Woman’s Day in 1909. To promote women’s rights including the right to vote, the International Socialist Women’s Congress introduced the notion of an International Women’s Day in 1910. The idea received a lot of support, and on March 19, 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland marked the inaugural International Women’s Day.

Since then, International Women’s Day has developed into a day dedicated to honouring the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women worldwide. It is a day set aside to honour women’s contributions to society and to promote gender parity. Every year, International Women’s Day has a different theme to honour the continuous fight for gender equality and the advancements made in that direction.

The advancement of women’s rights and the empowerment of women all around the world have benefited greatly from International Women’s Day. It has increased understanding of problems including gender-based violence, wage fairness, and reproductive rights and given women a forum to express their concerns and call for change. International Women’s Day is now observed on March 8th in many nations throughout the world, and it still serves to motivate people and organizations to fight for gender equality.

Current Challenges and Accomplishments of Women

Several obstacles still stand in the way of women’s efforts to achieve equality and empowerment around the world. Gender-based violence, uneven access to healthcare and education, and restricted political participation are some of the most important concerns affecting women today.

The growing COVID-19 epidemic is one of the main issues that women are now confronting. Both in terms of their health and their financial security, the pandemic has had a disproportionately negative effect on women. Women are more likely to be caretakers and front-line healthcare professionals, which increases their risk of contracting the virus. Due to the epidemic, women have also had a higher likelihood of losing their employment or having their work hours cut, aggravating already-existing gender disparities in the workforce.

In spite of these obstacles, women all over the world continue to make considerable progress towards equality and empowerment. With a record number of women holding elected office in national legislatures in 2021, women have achieved progress in political representation. From healthcare providers on the front lines to researchers creating vaccinations, women are also at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, women are breaking down barriers in disciplines that have historically been dominated by males, like science, technology, athletics, and the arts. With movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter spotlighting the need for structural reform to address gender and racial disparities, women are also speaking up for their rights and demanding change.

Ultimately, there are many reasons to celebrate the triumphs and resiliency of women across the world, even if there are still many big problems they must overcome. It is critical to acknowledge both the accomplishments and the work remaining to be done as we commemorate International Women’s Day and continue to promote gender equality.

Progress Made towards Gender Equality

Much progress has been achieved globally towards establishing gender equality during the past few decades. Women have made progress in terms of education, employment, and political representation, and the value of gender equality in fostering social and economic growth is increasingly acknowledged.

The proportion of girls who attend school and finish their education has significantly increased in terms of education. The gender gap in basic education has decreased globally, according to UNICEF, as more girls than ever are graduating from primary school. In addition, more women are seeking higher education and working in sectors like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), which have historically been dominated by males.

With more women entering the profession and breaking through the glass ceiling to take leadership roles, women have also achieved major strides in the workplace. Although there have been advancements for women in reducing the gender wage gap, there are still sizable differences.

The proportion of women holding political office has significantly increased in terms of political representation. The percentage of women in national parliaments throughout the world has nearly quadrupled over the previous 20 years, from 13.2% in 2000 to 25.5% in 2021, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

As while there is still work to be done, overall, the progress made towards gender equality is a good sign of the possibility for change. It is crucial to build on this development and strive towards establishing a more equitable and just society for all as we continue to promote gender equality.

Equitable World for all Genders

A world that is equal for people of all genders is one in which there is no gender-based prejudice or opportunity restriction. No of their gender identification, everyone in such a world has equal access to political representation, work opportunities, healthcare, and education.

It’s crucial to address and remove the structural hurdles that have traditionally kept marginalized groups, such as women and gender nonconforming people, from reaching their full potential in order to build a society that is equal for all genders. This entails dealing with problems including gender-based violence, unequal pay and career possibilities, and constrained access to healthcare and education.

Recognizing and appreciating the variety of gender identities and manifestations is also necessary for creating an egalitarian environment for all genders. This involves developing inclusive policies and procedures that encourage gender equity and diversity as well as offering assistance and resources to transgender and non-binary people.

In addition to being an issue of justice and equality, creating an equitable society for both genders is crucial for advancing social and economic progress. Regardless of their gender, people may contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large when given the freedom to realize their full potential.

Achieving gender equality needs a concerted effort from all levels of society, including people, communities, and institutions. We can build a society where everyone has the chance to prosper and realize their potential by cooperating to advance gender equity and inclusion.

Last Words

In conclusion, International Women’s Day is a significant reminder of both the achievements in gender equality and the unfinished business that still needs to be done. Although we honour the successes of women and gender nonconforming people, we must also acknowledge and remove the obstacles that still stand in their way of realizing their full potential.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusion as well as the rights and empowerment of all people on this International Women’s Day, regardless of gender identity. Together, we can build a society that is more fair and just for people of all genders and where everyone has the chance to lead a happy and meaningful life.

Thank You