‘I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.’ Said by Mary Wollstonecraft, an advocate for women’s rights.
Over the years, the celebration of International Women’s Day annually on March 8th, Mary Wollstonecraft’s words echo the essence of the ongoing struggle for equality.
The day has its roots in the labor and women’s rights movements, with the first National Women’s Day held in the United States in 1909.
It is a day to recognize women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender inequality, and promote efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
This year, it takes center stage with the theme, ‘Invest in women: Accelerate Progress.”
As we are witnessing that the world Is facing many challenges, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to skyrocketing poverty levels and the escalating impacts of climate change. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that foster women empowerment.
By investing in women, we can promote change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all.
If we want to create a prosperous economy and a peaceful planet it is crucial for us to ensure that half of the population should not held back their voices should be heard their rights should be given. However, according to UN revealing data we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030.
Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls from living in poverty by 2030.
Additionally, conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025, negatively impacting women and their essential services.
As reported, despite leading efforts, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance.
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Gender Equality
Discrimination based on gender is a violation of human rights as well as a significant barrier to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The notion of gender equality is graspable; it is the conviction that women deserve the same rights as men and have the courage to contribute to society and address its challenges. It represents their dedication to breaking down all the barriers that have held women back from utilizing their full potential.
However, despite its simplicity, Gender equality is proving remarkably difficult to achieve. Today, no country can claim to be fully gender equal. According to UN predictions, it will take almost 300 years for all countries to be able to do so.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that this day is celebrated in a way that has a long-lasting impact throughout the year. The world should take a more inclusive approach to this sensitive issue.
This can be done by equipping girls and boys, women and men, with the knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills to tackle gender disparities, which is a precondition to building a sustainable future for all.
Keeping in mind that empowering women doesn’t mean belittling men; it means recognizing the potential and capabilities of every individual, irrespective of gender.
