On March 8, it's more than just a date on the calendar. This day is a call to action, a celebration of advancements for women and a reminder of the inequalities still present.
Do yor know why this day exists? What are its origins and why is it still essential? This article will guide you through the history, current issues, and possible actions to continue making progress. 💪
Summary
The history of International Women's Rights Day
Before discussing the current issues, let's go back to the origin of International Women's Day.
Why March 8? This date, become a global symbol, carries the story of struggles and advances for women's rights.
This day finds its roots in the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1908, American workers protested to demand best working conditions and the right to vote.
These struggles have inspired the International Conference of Socialist Women in 1910, where Clara Zetkin proposed a annual day dedicated to women's rights.
It's finally in 1977 that the UN has officially announced the March 8 as International Women's Rights Day.
Since then, this date is a moment to reflect on the progress made, but also to continue to advocate equality between men and women.
What does this story mean to you today?
For us, it shows that every action, no matter how small, matters. 🙌
Why celebrate this day today?
You may be wondering: why such a is the day still necessary ? After all, many advances have been made. Yet, the gender inequalities still persistent in many areas.
The International Women's Rights Day with three main objectives:
- Raise awareness of inequalities : you are not unaware that on average, the women still earn 20% less than men at equivalent position. A persistent reality that illustrates the wage inequalities.
- Celebrate the advancements : for example, more and more countries are adopting laws to protect women against violence or favor equal pay.
- Incourage action : because there is still a long way to go. In some countries, the women still do not have access to education or to some fundamental rights. And even in nations where these rights seemed secured, worrying setbacks are emerging, such as the increasing restrictions on abortion in the United States.
En 2024, the UN puts the emphasis on the technology and innovation at the service of equality. Each year, a specific theme is highlighted for raise awareness and mobilize around women's rights.
Between equal pay, violence against women, female leadership… Every subject deserves to be carried!
Gender inequalities still present
Despite the advances, inequalities remain a reality. These figures can sometimes be discouraging, but they are also a reminder of the importance of this struggle for women's rights.
📚 Education: a fundamental right still inaccessible
More than 130 million girls in the world do not always no access to school, a situation that deprives them of a stable professional and economic future.
Due to poverty, forced marriages, or armed conflicts, millions of young girls see their right to education violated. However, each additional year of schooling increases their financial independence and their access to better opportunities.
⚕️ Health: still unequal care
Access to women's specific healthcare, notably in terms of reproductive and gynecological health, remains limited in many regions of the world.
Lack of medical facilities, legal prohibitions, or prohibitive costs: all obstacles that prevent millions of women from accessing vital care.
The example of the abortion restrictions in the United States shows that even in developed countries, these rights can be fragile.
💼 Employment: persistent inequalities
The women are still underrepresented in leadership positions and continue to undergo salary discrimination.
At equivalent positions, they earn on average 20% less than menMoreover, the glass ceiling remains a barrier to their advancement, particularly in the fields of science, technology, and politics.
Encourage him female leadership et equal pay is a necessity for a fairer and more efficient world!
🚨 Violence: a global emergency
One woman in three in the world is victim of physical or sexual violence during its life. The domestic violence, the sexual assaults, le street harassment and the female genital mutilation are still too widespread.
Behind these alarming figures, there are unbearable daily realities. Breaking the silence, supporting victims, and strengthening legislation are essential levers to put an end to violence against women!
These inequalities are not a fatality. Raising awareness, educating, and taking action are the keys to evolving society towards a real and sustainable equality between women and men. 💪
Focus on women's rights around the world
The Inequalities vary according to the regions of the world. But everywhere, women are fighting to obtain rights fundamentals.
What are the most urgent challenges today?
- Regions in crisis : in some countries, the women fight pour access education ou to rights basics, like the right to vote or freedom to work.
- The role of international organizations : institutions such as the UN or local NGOs play a key role in promote equality.
- Examples of advancements : in some countries, ambitious policies promote gender equality :
- France : the law on parity impose on political parties to present as many women as men in the elections, under penalty of financial sanctions.
- Norway & Sweden : these countries impose women's quotas in politics, with visible results: in Sweden, the Parliament is made up of about 46% women, and in Norway, more than 40% of the seats are occupied by women.
- Iceland : first country to make any salary difference between the sexes illegal. Since 2018, companies must prove that their pay is equal for equivalent work, under penalty of fines.
- Spain : implementation of salary transparency, forcing companies to justify the wage gaps between men and women.
These policies show that strong political will allows for reduce inequalities and concretely improve the lives of women. 💪
A constantly fragile battle: Worrying setbacks in women's rights
Despite the progress made thanks to the feminist mobilizations and to policies in favor of equality, some countries are currently experiencing concerning setbacks.
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United States: rights called into question
In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, which has guaranteed since 1973 the constitutional right to abortion.
From now on, each State can prohibit or severely restrict access to abortion, a major regression for the women's rights.
In some states, such as Texas or Oklahoma, Abortion is almost completely banned, putting millions of women at risk. -
Afghanistan: the repression of fundamental rights
Since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, the women's rights have drastically declined.
The Afghan women are excluded from universities and many jobs, and their freedom of movement is increasingly restricted. -
Poland: tightening of abortion laws
In 2020, Poland adopted one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, prohibiting abortion even in cases of fetal malformation. This decision has led to tragedies, with some women dying due to lack of appropriate care.
These examples remind us that nothing is ever guaranteed and that the women's rights, even in developed countries, can to be called into question.
That's why the International Women's Rights Day remains essential. It allows not only to celebrate the advancements, but also of remind that vigilance and mobilization remain necessary. 💪
How to act and support International Women's Rights Day?
You are wondering how to contribute to this big movement for women's rights? Know that every gesture counts.
Individual actions
Participate in local events, learn about inequalities, make some donations to associations and schools or share educational content.
Collective actions
Join a feminist association, support educational projects for girls or advocate for more equitable policies.
Support committed brands
Favor the companies that actively defend women's rights, comme Sorio.
💡At Sorio, we regularly do some donations of menstrual swimwear to the Occitanie association UCRM (Union Cépière Robert Monnier).
This association aims to work with audiences in situations of social disconnection or at risk of vulnerability, and offers social support towards and in housing, accommodation, training, and professional integration.
A day, but a daily struggle
The March 8 is a special day, but the struggle for women's rights equality does not limit itself to a date. It must be continue every day!
To create a real impact, it is essential to stay engaged all year round. Equality is not only played out during major mobilization days, but also in everyday actions, such as:
- Feminize your job title
- Demand professional recognition equivalent to that of their male colleagues
- Address the female employees first during meetings to give them more visibility
- Dare to negotiate your salary
- Reject sexist remarks under the guise of "humor"
- Go vote to defend your rights
- Support committed businesses
- Talk about the inequalities around you
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to making evolve mindsets.
The fight for gender equality advance thanks to these daily positions, worn by millions of women.
And you, what will be your first step for this cause? 💪
The March 8 is a day to reflect on the history of women's rights, celebrate the progress, but also act against inequalities still present. You have discovered the origins of this day, its current stakes, and concrete ways to contribute. Whether by raising awareness among those around you, participating in local initiatives, or supporting educational projects, every action counts.
Together, we can build a fairer world for all. 💜
