Next week is International Women’s Day. As a child, too busy playing, I never paid much attention to the rights and freedoms we have or the hardships women endured, including my mother, from issues such as domestic abuse, income disparity, healthcare, social limitations and political restrictions. Sexual violence and harassment was never openly discussed.
Experience changes us and years of workplace harassment and gender inequality as a female police officer, certainly influenced my perspective on the reality women face today. Leading by example helps to create awareness and empowerment for change. My daughter had a different experience as a child and her knowledge of women’s issues will help shape the world. Speaking up on this violence, writing WOMEN NOT WANTED, has been an important part of my own journey to equality, freedom and happiness. In March 2010 International Women’s Day, I had the honour to attend the United Nations Women’s Conference in New York City as a delegate with VOW, Voices of Women. There were 8000 women from 190 countries. My eyes were opened to the ongoing struggles women face today across all borders, all nations and religions and cultures.
The idea is to think global and act local. What does that mean to you? In other words celebrate the women in your life, all women. Recognizing we all have our own life experiences so be curious and not judgemental. Encourage your family and friends to improve their lives and not accept violence at home, in the workplace or in politics. One voice can make the difference. Violence against one women is violence against all when we remain silent. Mother Teresa “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create ripples.”
“The theme for 2016 is Pledge for Parity, as progress towards gender parity has slowed in many places. In 2014, the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicted it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. A year later, WEF estimated a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap would not close entirely until 2133. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the 20th century in North America and Europe. The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on 28 February 1909 in New York, organised by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.”
What will you do to celebrate International Women’s Day?
http://vowpeace.org/
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
