Thursday March 8, 2012 will mark the celebration of International Women’s Day which originated in the United States of America in 1911 and was adapted in Canada in 1977.There will be world-wide celebrations to recognize, honour, celebrate and encourage the achievements of women from around the world .International Women’s Day came about in large part,from a lowering of barriers which had traditionally kept women as second-class citizens who were denied the right to vote, experience a good education , proper wages, or a part in the political or economic affairs of the country. Although some of those conditions have changed, as we peruse the news we can see that they still exist throughout the world, and even educated, materially rich, politically aware women are still subjected to a rigidly restrictive social code that places them at a disadvantage in every walk of life.
The media still uses a different yardstick to view women’s credibility whether they are Heads of State or rape victims; in some countries women are still prohibited from getting an education; babies are aborted if they are deemed to be female; various forms of violence against women are still rampart and shrouded under titles such as “honour killing” and “spousal abuse”. Some forms are not even acknowledged. Psychological /emotional abuse is given scant notice because there are no bruises or other visible signals to warrant genuine concern even though the debilitating effects are horrendous. On a daily basis girls and women of all ages are called derogatory names, intimidated, isolated, threatened, subjected to silent treatment and denied recognition of their abilities and accomplishments. Much of this is done by boyfriends, siblings, parents and others who should be a source of support. Unlike physical abuse much of this takes place also in the workplace.
While there is no doubt that women have made genuine progress in many facets of their lives there still needs to be a concerted effort to focus on the areas that still prevent ultimate empowerment and well-being.
So as we acknowledge the strides which some women have made, there still needs to be conversations regarding women’s lives.
International Women’s Day 2012 can be the springboard for such a dialogue to continue.
Ettie Rutherford ……. Women Are Worthy
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