Celebrating International Women's Day is not just about giving a woman you respect a flower and telling her she's great. This day, March 8, is a symbol of the battles that women all over the world have had to fight for equality and rights, and is a reminder of what remains to be done. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to celebrate this important occasion.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get informed
Step 1. Learn the history of International Women's Day
On this day we celebrate the talents (often underestimated) of women, their achievements and the efforts they have made to obtain them. It developed within the labor movement born in the early 1900s in the United States and Europe.
The first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1909 to commemorate the massive strike of the New York textile workers of 1908. The women protested against the poor conditions in which they were forced to work
Step 2. Learn about the battles for equality being fought by women around the world
Women are not only regularly undervalued, they are also often victims of harassment, assault, violence and discrimination because of their being women.
- A United Nations report notes that women are discriminated against in virtually every part of the world. According to the study, 70% of the poor are women and women own only about 1% of the land, again on a worldwide basis. Admitting the existence of such discrimination and raising people's awareness of it can really lead to change.
- One in three women are victims of sexual or physical violence, and most rapes go unreported. Often then the rapist gets away with a light sentence or even goes unpunished. The situation gets worse when we talk about women of color. An enormously large number are victims of violence, often at the hands of white men.
- Even in the United States (apparently so impartial and balanced) women and men are far from being considered equal in the eyes of the law and society. The United States ranks 17th in the World Economic Forum's report on gender disparities. For example, women who work full-time earn an annual salary equal to 77% of that of male colleagues and this difference increases according to race and age. In addition, an employer prefers to hire a man than a woman, even if the two have the exact same qualifications.
Step 3. Learn why this day is so important
Since women's abilities are often ignored or underestimated, particularly those that have to do with the home (raising children or doing "ladies' jobs" such as cleaning, cooking, etc.), celebrating this day means reminding people of things. extraordinary that women all over the world have helped to achieve.
- Rosalind Franklin, whose DNA studies were central to the work of Francis Crick, James Watson and Maurice Wilkins, was completely ignored by the Nobel Prize Committee, while her male colleagues continued to receive prizes and awards for the discovery of DNA.
- Ella Baker, Septima Poinsette Clark and Fannie Lou Hamer are women who have worked tirelessly and risking their lives in the service of the civil rights movement. Aside from Rosa Parks (whose act is rarely recognized as a stance rather than as something that happened by accident), these and many other women are forgotten by historians and no woman is asked to give a speech about the "March on Washington for work and freedom ".
- There have been many rulers throughout history, completely ignored and forgotten by historians. Just think of Joan of Habsburg, who served as an excellent ruler of Castile between 1554 and 1559 and who remained a key figure of the Spanish court.
Part 2 of 3: Celebrations on a Worldwide Basis
Step 1. Make a donation to a women's shelter in your city
It can be money, clothes, food, or even your time. Helping a shelter for women, especially when it comes to abused people, helps you to remember the suffering that women still face today and to do your part to alleviate it.
You can turn it into a date with your friends. Involve everyone you know to celebrate this day by helping a shelter for women in your city
Step 2. Eating for women
Programs like "Dinner for Women" help support the cause throughout the year. You can look for a local association that organizes events of this type or create your own. This way you can raise funds to help improve women's health or to raise awareness of climate change.
There are many associations that help women, especially those who do not have enough income to feed themselves adequately. Search your city for organizations that offer such services
Step 3. Activate
Instead of simply giving a flower or candy to a woman you think is fantastic, think about actively participating in campaigns to ensure women adequate wages, reproductive rights and equality.
Support bills that want to increase penalties for rapists or that want to abolish sexual harassment
Step 4. Discover the talents of women
Look around. Many associations organize events to celebrate this day with poetry readings, art installations, songs, dances and theatrical performances. If there is nothing in your area, you could organize something yourself. Seek the help and advice of local artists and politicians.
Step 5. Walks of solidarity
The non-profit association Women for Women International organizes events of this type all over the world, from Canada to China. The aim is to raise awareness of the difficulties that women survivors of a war face every day.
- This program is also called "Join Me on the Bridge". The initiative was initiated by two program directors who worked for Women for Women International in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign gathers men, women and children to ask for peace and help for women who have suffered and are suffering from war.
- There are events of this type in many cities. If you can't find any in your area, you could organize one yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Celebrating Single Women
Step 1. Help a friend or a female member of your family
It could be taking care of your sister's kids for free so she can relax or doing housework without your mom asking.
You could promise a woman who is important to you to help her throughout the rest of the year, for example by doing your homework without your mom having to ask you repeatedly or by taking half of the cooking and housework shifts to help your wife or her. your girlfriend
Step 2. Tell a woman what she represents for you
It could be your boss, a family member, or your partner. You should tell her why she is important to you and remind her of all the great things she does. For example, if it's your boss, tell her why she's a great boss and how much you enjoy working with her.
Many things women do, especially if they are in a responsible role, are carefully analyzed if something goes wrong, or completely ignored, which doesn't happen if a man does them
Step 3. Thank the women in your life
Don't just tell them why they are important but thank them for being there for you and for what they do. You could thank your mom for helping you grow (and for the excellent result obtained) or a friend for helping you in times of need.
Step 4. Treat women with respect
It seems the simplest thing, but judging by the number of women who are victims of sexual harassment and the difficulties that a woman faces every day, it is evidently not such an obvious thing.
- Never tell a woman "Make me a sandwich!" even if it's a joke. It is not fun and only serves to emphasize the idea that a woman is only good for cooking and taking care of a man.
- Don't harass women on public transport (or in public), making comments about how they look and whether they smile or not.
- Take a stand if you see a woman being harassed. If your peers make sexist or insulting jokes, calmly explain to them why these attitudes are disrespectful (or, better yet, ask them to explain why they find these jokes funny and see if they rush to make excuses not to sound misogynistic).
- Remember to treat women with respect (but not just women!) Every single day, not just March 8.
Step 5. Sensitize other people
Remind everyone you know (family, colleagues, friends) that International Women's Day is celebrated. Discuss with them why it is a fundamental occasion, the importance of treating women with respect and recognizing their contribution to society.
