On International Women’s Day 2018, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of the inspiring women that have paved the way for other women to make their mark on the world and be where we are today. This year marks the 100th year of the vote for women, thanks to the Suffragettes, which is truly amazing and wonderful.
But whilst things have come a long way, equality does not yet truly exist. I use the word yet with hope that one day it will.
However, at the moment, everyday sexism is so ingrained in today’s society that many people don’t realise that it still exists, whilst others choose to ignore the fact. It’s in the taxi driver that informs you where the shops are because as a woman “shopping is all that you’re interested in”, it’s in the surprise on people’s faces and the fact that you’re “being difficult” when you say that you don’t want to take your husband’s surname in marriage, it’s in every restaurant where the server gives your bill to the man you’re sat with, it’s in the misconceptions around feminism and the assumption that you’re a “man hater” if you’re a feminist, and it’s within too many infuriating conversations that you overhear as a commuter.
To add to this, key issues still prevail such as the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling in the world of work, the controversy around contraception, abortion and the power women have over their own bodies, women being judged by appearance over ability, and the constant battle against stereotypical gender roles and societal expectations – especially around motherhood and the assumption that women can’t be both a good career woman and mother. These are just a few prevalent issues in today’s society (and pet hates of mine!) which clearly highlight that gender equality has not yet been achieved. Whilst I don’t want to dwell on the negatives on such a positive day for women across the world, I do want to highlight that there is still work to be done in order to achieve gender equality.
To the women of today; the feminists standing for equality, the girl bosses going after goals and ambitions, the career women shaping the future of business, the mothers, sisters, aunties and grandmothers bringing up our next generations, female students gaining knowledge and expertise in every area you can imagine and female graduates going out into the world with big ambitions. To women from all generations, backgrounds, locations and ethnicities across the world. Each and every one of you have the power and the ability to make a positive difference to the world that we live in.
So on International Women’s Day and every other day of your life, I urge you to embrace yourself as a woman, be proud of being a woman (and a feminist if you identify as one!), don’t shrink into the space you occupy, stand up, speak up and go after your aims and ambitions. I also urge you to support, encourage and lift up other women. Don’t view each other as competition – this is something that I commonly see, but never understand. And finally, don’t allow yourself to be categorised, sidelined or put into anybody else’s small box of oppressive ideas. You owe it to yourself and to all the women who have paved the way before us.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Here’s to all of the inspiring women out there! To my mum and my sister, thank you for inspiring me to be the best version of myself everyday.
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What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
L.
Yes in deed! Thank you! HAPPY international womens day!
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Thank you Aviana! Happy International Women’s Day!
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I think its alot to do with being ‘polite’ and how women are expected to act. We aren’t allowed to ‘make a scene’ even when we are assaulted and aren’t believed. Great post, I’m all about celebrating being a woman and this post makes me proud to be one!
my20staughtme.wordpress.com
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Thank you for your thoughts! I’m so glad that you like the post 😁 I think it is all about breaking expectations! 🙌
L.
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YES! So much gained but so much more room for improvement. Especially in challenging cultural assumptions that are rooted in sexism (like the shopping thing). Thanks for posting!
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Thanks so much for your thoughts and I’m happy to hear that you like the post!
It’s all about challenging expectations and assumptions! 💪
L.
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Amen!!! Thank you for this absolutely lovely post! Yes, women need to stand for and with each other. There is still much to be done in regards to equality… but these can only be achieved if we as womankind stand together! xx
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Thank you for your lovely thoughts! I’m so glad you like the post and I completely agree – there’s still so much to do and women need to lift each other up! 😁🧡
L.
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This is dope! Great post❤️❤️❤️❤️ Here for all of it!!
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This is a really great post on something I also feel strongly about. Women deserve to be equal and I do believe one day in the not too distant future we will be. Being female is about so much more than the old fashioned ideals of what women should be doing work wise. Completely agree about supporting each other as women too, men will not respect us if we treat eachother badly x
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Thank you for your thoughts! I’m really glad you like the post 😁
L. X
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