Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. Never heard of it before? Me either until just yesterday, but I’m so glad that I did.
Celebrated on March 8 every year, “International Women’s Day (IWD) is the global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. IWD celebrates the collective power of women past, present and future.”
For me, today means reflecting on how far we as women in the United States have come in the past. We have the right to vote, to own property, to get a higher education, to work. Yet it is obvious to me on a daily basis that while we have a lot of rights, there is more work to be done. I need only think of the current battle going on over a woman’s right to have the birth she desires and know that we have a long way to go.
And while our rights as women here in the United States seem pretty good overall, women elsewhere around the world are not as fortunate. Mom Grind notes at a UN Conference in 2001 it was stated that “in the world as a whole, women comprise 51 percent of the population, do 66 percent of the work, receive 10 percent of the income and own less than one percent of the property.”
And Women’s Lens reminds us that in many places, there are still “women who are enslaved; women who are tortured; women who are suppressed; women who are aborted before they can become women because of their sex; women who are discriminated against; women who are overlooked because they are not men; women who are illiterate; women who are circumcised against their will; women who are vilified because they speak out against injustice; women who are threatened with death because they refuse to bow to the men who rule them.”
So yes, women have come a long way in parts of the world and we should celebrate that, but we also cannot lose sight of the fact that we have a lot of work ahead of us.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
You can learn more about IWD on:
- International Women’s Day 2008
- Super Jive’s BlogHer post – March 8 Is International Women’s Day: Who or What Inspires You?
- United Nation’s Women Watch – International Women’s Day
- International Women’s Day on Wikipedia
- Watch a short video about IWD on Summer’s blog
- SouleMama’s beautiful post – Peace
Stumble it!
Sherie says:
Bless you for this wonderful post! A (male) friend recently inquired why study issues around women in agriculture and their rights to food. I think I’ll just direct to this post. 3 cheers to all who appreciate and fight for womens’ rights!!
March 8th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Justine says:
Sending a link to your post to all of my contacts! I was hoping to have our ‘new baby’ email to send out today instead– since we missed a Leap Day (Sadie Hawkins Day) birth, i thought IWD would be a super cool and ultra-fem b-day to have for our newest girl– but alas, she has chosen some future day to make her entrance into the world!
Sigh. I’m breathing in and out all day long and trusting in the process…but at least i have exercised my rights as a human & women and chosen a Homebirth. Now the ‘price’ to pay for that choice is that i have to actually wait it out! haha
March 8th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Trish says:
excellent post – I will add a link to it in mine.I did a post on IWD too yesterday.
I found you by accident looking for definition of Lactivist – I love your designs but I am in Australian -postage is a killer.
I love your site.I will be back for the UBP party … see you soon.
My Little Drummer boys
March 8th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Holly says:
Happy International Women’s Day! I was wishing everyone a happy day all day, including men–and then I had to tell them what I was talking about.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Katie says:
Happy (belated) International Women’s Day! Love reading your site…
http://mama-kate.blogspot.com/2008/03/celebrate-international-womens-day-take.html#links
March 9th, 2008 at 4:33 am
chelle says:
We always celebrated this in university. Any excuse to celebrate womanhood is cool with me!
March 9th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Cat says:
Have you seen this post…
http://hecatedemetersdatter.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-international-womens-day-in-iraq.html
March 9th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
bleeding espresso says:
Here in Italy, International Women’s Day (La Festa della Donna) is quite a big deal; was a great surprise for me after moving here :)
Came here via the Ultimate Blog Party, and I look forward to getting to know you better!
Come visit my party in southern Italy when you get a chance (and see my International Women’s Day post from last week) :)
March 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Mommy Bee says:
Wow. My subconscious must have known! I wrote about women at some length on the 8th!!! Here is my link: http://brightonwoman.blogspot.com/2008/03/intervening-with-nature-and-bringing.html
Great post.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
International Women’s Day - March 8 at blog for used car says:
[...] amygeekgrl wrote an post worth reading today.Here’s a quick excerpt:So yes, women have come a long way in parts of the world and we should celebrate that, but we also cannot lose sight of the fact that we have a lot of work ahead of us. What does International Women’s Day mean to you? … [...]
March 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Suzann says:
What an excellent and important post. So glad you’re writing.
April 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm