International Women's Day 2017

Posted by Andrew on March 9, 2017

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th for the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. Although there has been progress, there is still a long way to go.

The first step is to always educate yourself on current issues. Now especially with the advent of social media, people often argue without really having knowledge of the circumstances. There is no point in advocating for change if you don’t know what the actual reality is. It is all too common to hear people say “There’s no such thing as the glass ceiling” when clearly the reality exists. Whether you agree or disagree with an issue is your personal choice but there is no point in having a senseless argument. Watch the news, read relevant articles, and educate yourself before forming an opinion.

The next step is to raise awareness. Discuss the issues that interest you, talk about changes in the world, and have debates with peers about their opinions. Whether an issue affects you personally or not, there is nothing stopping you from supporting a cause. You don’t need to be a woman to support equal pay for women. You can support an issue simply because you believe in the cause. We all live in a society and a step in the right direction is always helpful.

The next step is to take action. Do something to support your cause. Whether you choose to  volunteer with an organization or to simply practice the values in your own life, do something for your chosen cause. If you see gender discrimination happening in your workplace for example, stand up for it. Raise your voice and be part of the change.

Finally, the next step is to keep going. There are many issues in the world that need attention. Do your best to be a global citizen. As humans living in a society we all have a civic responsibility towards one another. Support each other and live in harmony and peace. Don’t let your biases and misinformed stereotypes cloud your thinking. People often argue “If women are equally as capable why do they need special treatment?” However the reality is that there is still a lot of change to be made.

Yes some of us are lucky that we are in a privileged position where we may not have faced many issues of gender discrimination. Yet this just means we all should work harder for those who are less privileged. Equality must be achieved before we can implement equity. It is 2017. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #BeBoldForChange so let’s all join together and work towards a better society for our present and future generations.