Shine a Light: Why International Women’s Day Matters and How We Can Empower Women
Being a woman — it’s no easy feat. From enduring the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing heels for hours on end knowing that the pain is a small price to pay for societal standards of beauty, to struggling to find affordable childcare options that allows us to pursue our careers while balancing family responsibilities, to single-handedly shouldering the burden of housework while your partner lounges on the couch watching TV (yes, we’re looking at you, dear husbands), not to mention providing a free taxi service for our kids…like EVERY SINGLE DAY! The struggles can feel endless.
And let’s not forget the perpetual quest to master the art of walking with keys clenched between our fingers as a makeshift self-defence weapon when walking alone at night, or discreetly hiding a tampon up our sleeve on the way to the toilet, or the inevitable smudging of freshly painted nails because, let’s face it, we’re just too busy to wait for them to dry properly!
But amidst the chaos and quirks of everyday life, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the broader challenges faced by women around the world. While some may dismiss these daily inconveniences as trivial, they are but a microcosm of the larger issues of gender inequality, discrimination, and violence that persist in society. And it’s these deeper-rooted issues that underscore the significance of International Women’s Day and the urgent need for collective action.
International Women’s Day will be held on the 8th of March this year, with the theme being “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.” This theme resonates profoundly in a world where gender equality remains an ongoing battle. While some women may feel they haven’t faced discrimination or systemic barriers, it’s crucial to recognise that many others face compounded challenges due to factors like race, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. International Women’s Day serves as a poignant reminder that until every woman is free from discrimination, harassment, inequality, or oppression, our work towards true equality is far from over.
Consider these staggering statistics:
· In 2020 alone, 47,000 women and girls worldwide lost their lives at the hands of their male partners or family members — and those are only the deaths we know about. This means that, on average, a woman or girl is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes — a grim reminder of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
· Shockingly, 47 countries still fail to hold husbands accountable for raping their wives.
· In Australia, 1 in 6 women have experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15.
· Also, 1 in 6 women in Australia, have experienced economic abuse by a current or previous cohabiting partner.
· The gender pay gap remains a stark reality, with Australia reporting a 13.3% divide.
· Moreover, 2.7 billion women worldwide are legally restricted from accessing the same job opportunities as men, perpetuating economic disparities.
How does this impact women’s mental health?
These kinds of trauma, whether experienced in childhood or adulthood, can have far-reaching consequences for women’s mental health, leading to a range of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that can have a profound and lasting effect on overall wellbeing and quality of life.
The emotional scars left by such experiences can manifest in various ways, such as:
· affecting self-esteem
· undermining a sense of safety
· leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and powerlessness
· fuelling feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and hopelessness
· hindering one’s ability to trust others, and affecting interpersonal relationships
· and leading to burnout, fatigue and mental exhaustion.
What can we do?
In the face of such challenges, International Women’s Day serves as a catalyst for change — a day to amplify the voices of women everywhere and advocate for meaningful progress.
Although the statistics presented above may seem overwhelming, leaving you to think “What can I do within my power to help?” – you can start by simply supporting women in your own communities or supporting organisations that advocate for change. Here are some ways women can support each other and drive positive change:
1. Support Women in Small Business: Whether it’s purchasing products or services from women-owned businesses, or sharing or liking their ventures and posts on social media, to leaving a review, will always be greatly appreciated and go a long way to supporting female entrepreneurs and empower economic independence.
2. Check-In on Your Friends: Simple gestures like sending a text, making a phone call, or scheduling a coffee date can make a world of difference to a friend who may be struggling.
3. Organise a Get-Together: Hosting a gathering or event provides an opportunity for women to connect, share experiences, and offer support in a safe and inclusive space. Consider doing one of Kemar Meaningful Direction’s Girls’ Night In Self-Directed Packages or have as a guest speaker at your next event.
4. Fundraise for Women’s Causes: Whether it’s organising a charity run, hosting a bake sale, or launching an online crowdfunding campaign, fundraising efforts can help support organisations dedicated to advancing women’s rights and wellbeing. A couple of worthy causes I support, include:
- Share the Dignity: a women’s charity in Australia striving to end period poverty
- Kiva: a micro lending platform supporting small businesses in developing countries.
5. Donate Your Clothing or Personal Belongings: Donating clothing to women’s shelters or organisations serving marginalised communities can provide essential resources to those in need while promoting sustainability. I mean, who are we kidding, we are never going to fit back into those old jeans that we have kept in the back of the cupboard for years “just in case”!
6. Mentorship and Support Networks: Offering mentorship or joining support networks provides women with valuable guidance, encouragement, and solidarity as they navigate professional and personal challenges. Some organisations that are offering wonderful programs for women include:
- Chamber Change: providing women in business the opportunity to mentor, network, empower and grow alongside each other.
- Women Building Australia: Boosting the careers of women in Building & Construction.
- Youth Frontiers Program: providing support to young women and gender diverse people aged 10–17 years.
7. Educate Yourself and Others: Continuously educating oneself about gender inequality and its intersectional dimensions is essential for fostering empathy, understanding, and meaningful dialogue.
On International Women’s Day and beyond, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive world where every woman is valued, empowered, and afforded the same opportunities for success. Together, we can harness the collective power of women to drive positive change and accelerate progress towards a brighter future for all.
And maybe, just maybe, one day it will be the norm to share household chores equally with our spouse, or that we no longer have to walk to our cars with keys wedged into our hands, or have to wrestle with the dilemma of choosing between fashionable high heels or comfortable shoes for a night out, and we can finally be rid of the unrealistic and unfair standards society has set for women!
#womensupportingwomen #internationalwomensday