Beyond celebrations
TODAY is a very special day for women around the world. We celebrate their achievements, and reflect on their lives, and their place in our hearts and minds.
Understandably there will be the line that suggests this should be a daily thing. It should not be reserved for a day in the year.
However we choose to reflect on this day, women, and girls, should factor highly.
Today is about them!
Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretarygeneral, said in his message for this day: ‘On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women and girls around the world, and we applaud all they have achieved in the fight for equality.
‘Women and girls have made great gains — demolishing barriers, dismantling stereotypes and driving progress towards a more just and equal world.
‘Yet they face immense obstacles. Billions of women and girls face marginalisation, injustice and discrimination, while the persistent epidemic of violence against women disgraces humanity.
‘On International Women’s Day, we stand with women and girls fighting for their rights, and we commit to accelerating progress.
‘This year’s theme — invest in women — reminds us that ending the patriarchy requires money on the table.
‘We must support women’s organisations on the front line.
‘And we must invest in programs to end violence against women, and to drive women’s inclusion and leadership in economies, digital technologies, peacebuilding and climate action.’
As we celebrate this day, let’s reflect on embracing the need for an environment where women and girls can thrive in and realise their full potential. Let’s reflect on embracing opportunities in education and health care for instance.
Today, let’s remind ourselves about the many niggling issues that we must address.
Let’s consider our shortcomings, and attend to them, raising the profile of our women and girls, if we haven’t considered that, on the home-front. Addressing issues such as domestic violence demand a united front. It demands our attention and support.
But why should we just confine the recognition and celebration of the achievement of women to this day? Shouldn’t we do this every day?
Let’s acknowledge the role of women in our lives. Let’s embrace and highlight their achievements and focus on ways to assist them to reach their goals.
If there is a plethora of advice, and support for the cause of our women, then this has to be buoyed by our commitment.
Our women have a right to be heard. So, let’s respect and acknowledge the important roles they play in our lives.