Happy International Women’s Day!
Today is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women around the world and reflect on the progress made.
International Women’s Day began on March 19, 1911. The first International Women’s Day was held, drawing over a million people to rallies worldwide. Since then, so much has been accomplished for women.
To truly unlock women’s full potential, we must dismantle the barriers standing in their way. These obstacles take various forms, from systemic issues to cultural biases, and overcoming them requires a concerted effort from all of us.
We can employ numerous strategies to achieve this goal, ranging from advocating for equal opportunities in the workplace to supporting education and mentorship programs for women. Each of us holds the power to contribute to a more inclusive society, whether through our professional roles, community involvement, or personal relationships. Let’s all make a commitment to do our part, fostering an environment where women are empowered to reach their highest potential. Together, we can make a significant impact and help empower women across the globe!
Imagine a gender-equal world.
A world where girls and women are given the same opportunities, respect, and rights as men may seem like an idyllic dream, but it is a reality that we should strive towards. Gender inequality still exists in many parts of the world, hindering progress and depriving half of the population of reaching their full potential.
It’s time to recognize that gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it affects society. When women are empowered, they can contribute to economic growth, improve health outcomes, promote peace and stability, and drive social change. It’s not about giving women special treatment or advantages; it’s about creating a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.
A world free of gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
In a world without gender bias, stereotypes, or discrimination, it would only be natural that people want to live as they are.
Imagine how different our lives could be if we were all free from these negative influences, allowing us the chance to be who we truly want ourselves to be without having to fit into a specific mold.
Can you imagine this version of a free world where we can create supportive and inclusive communities for everyone without worrying about labels?
That is the world I want to live in.
I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves. –Mary Shelley
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
We can work towards building more equal future societies in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or financial situation.
Where equal rights are human rights.
And are not just a dream but a reality.
Imagine a society with greater social justice resulting in less poverty because it creates conditions for prosperity instead.
This vision takes the tremendous efforts of many people to unite; IWD is one of the global platforms to voice this out and bring people together.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
The United Nations has declared that “diversity is one of the world’s greatest treasures.” I agree with this statement.
We should all celebrate our differences and work together to create a more inclusive society. Let’s pledge to break down the barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
Just one woman can create a ripple effect as a role model for girls worldwide. Many types of women can be role models; we don’t need to look further than our community.
Women who serve as role models, our health care workers, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians—the list goes on—and those who offer their leadership as community organizers on the front lines. And let’s not forget the mother who quietly tucks her child into bed every night, striving to improve generational equality.
We need more diversity in the types of celebrated women, and IWD is an excellent opportunity to bring these voices forward.
Together, we can forge women’s equality.
United Nations Women, UNwomen states, “When women’s equality is achieved, we all benefit. Societies as a whole are more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable.”
International Women’s Day (IWD) is crucial to pause and reflect on our strides towards achieving gender equality. It’s also a time to recommit ourselves to the ongoing struggle for gender parity, recognize the challenges that still lie ahead, and mobilize collective action to overcome them.
Why is gender parity so important?
Gender parity is “the state of being in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and obligations across all sectors of society.”
Gender parity includes economic participation and opportunity, political empowerment, educational attainment, health and well-being, and ending violence against women.
We have made progress in this country alone, the United States of America, but much work still needs to be done.
Let’s take a quick look at the numbers:
- “In 2020, women earned 84% of what men earned, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of median hourly earnings of both full- and part-time workers. Based on this estimate, it would take an extra 42 days of work for women to earn what men did in 2020.”
- “Overall, full-time women, year-round employees made 82.3 cents for every dollar men made in 2019, based on median earning data from the Census Current Population Survey. That means women are paid 17.7% less than men, earning $10,157 less than men.”
What could you do with an extra $10,000+ in your wallet? –Blaze Lazarony
We still have a lot of work to do to achieve gender parity. International Women’s Day is a time to recommit ourselves to this vital goal.
Why do we need men to support IWD?
While IWD is a day to celebrate women’s accomplishments, it is essential to remember that we cannot achieve gender parity without the support of men.
Allyship from men is critical to breaking down the barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
Men can do this by advocating for gender equality and pledging to break the bias. Men must understand that when women succeed, everyone succeeds.
Let’s get personal, shall we?
I used to refer to retail as the “pink jungle,” where women were primarily in front-line sales positions and lower-level management careers. When I was promoted to Senior Director at Macy’s, I was primarily men and very few women. Why? One reason was that women traditionally needed the flexibility to raise their families and juggle their daily responsibilities and careers.
I was a workaholic back then. I came of age in the 1980s, when shoulder pads were as big as linebacker’s gear, and I wanted to play in the world of success and achievement. I was also unable to have children; I was young, eager, and married to another workaholic.
I will forever be grateful to an extraordinary man who served as a mentor and role model. He also made the extra effort to ensure my salary was on par with other people in similar roles. It took time for the salary changes to become effective, but eventually, they did.
That moment changed my life. IWD is important because it celebrates women like myself who have broken through gender bias and achieved success. It is also a time to reflect on the progress made and recommit to working towards gender equality.
Here’s how you can lend your voice and wallet to IWD.
There are many different ways to get involved in achieving gender equality.
Here are just a few:
- Advocate for equal pay and benefits for women.
- Support organizations working towards parity, like UN Women or Girls Who Code.
- Use your voice to talk about the importance of gender parity with your friends, family, and social media followers.
- Donate to organizations working towards gender and generation equality.
Collectively, We Can All Make a Difference
Today, I find myself in another version of the “pink jungle,” as I am now a woman who is a therapist, counselor, and coach. I left my retail career behind when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and after years of healing and coaching, I decided to go back to graduate school at the age of fifty-three. It has been a humbling experience; being a beginner is challenging.
Despite the challenges, I persist in speaking my truth, taking a stand, and leading in a manner that aligns harmoniously with my core identity. You typically won’t find me at the forefront of protests, brandishing signs and shouting slogans. That’s not where my strengths lie. Instead, I choose to lead in my own unique way through the power of written words. By crafting this post, I aim to inspire change, provoke thought, and encourage others to find their own path to leadership that truly reflects who they are.
Take the first step towards empowerment and healing by working with a women’s therapist who truly understands and supports the unique experiences and challenges of being a woman. We can break societal barriers and embrace our innate strength and resilience. Don’t hesitate any longer; reach out to a women’s therapist, ME, who believes in YOU today.”
