The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day, a day for women everywhere. ‘Isn’t that not just for those hairy feminists and men haters?’ I hear you cry…
Well, in a word: no.
It seems feminism has garnered a bad reputation. People are wrongly summarising that feminist = man hater. Not so, ‘If you stand for equality, you are a feminist. Sorry to tell you.’ (Emma Watson).
The theme of IWD 2018 is #PressforProgress. This year it seems even more pertinent as 2018 marks 100 years of votes for (some) women.
‘So you’ve got the vote, what more do you want?’
Well that can sum that one up in two words:
Gender equality.
Did you know that the gender pay gap is not expected to close until 2186? According to figures in 2017, due to the gender pay gap, women effectively work ‘for free’ for 51 days a year. Or ten weeks if you prefer.
Women are not present in equal numbers to men in politics or business. Meaning predominately men are making decisions that affect the lives of women with zero experience of what it is like to actually be a woman.
Globally education and health for women is worse than that for men. Let’s not forget about Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head aged 15, for speaking out about her right for an education.
‘But that didn’t happen in this country.’
True. But this is International Women’s Day. So on this day, let’s speak up for all women,
because if we don’t there will be no progress.
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