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| Icons photo by Max Dashu |
Happy International Women’s Day ladies.
What if, for just one day, every single woman on the
planet did absolutely nothing?
What if, for just one day, we lay down all our
“tools,” just sat down, stretched our legs and watched the world run by men?
I think it would sound and look like Sheikh Zayed
Road in Dubai with no cars. I think the world would stop!
With a world population of 7 billion on October 31,
2011, according to the United Nations --
or 3 487 869 males and 3 439 427 037 females according to a 2011 estimate by
the worldstat info -- I would love to see that happen.
Despite the number of men
and women in the world being roughly equal -- men hold a slight lead with 102 men
for 100 women (in 2010, as stated by French National Institute for Demographic Studies) -- women’s
equality is still unequal.
International
Women’s Day (IWD),
celebrated today and throughout March, is under the theme Inspiring Change.
Equality For Women Is Progress For All is the United Nations’ theme this
year.
“Countries with more gender equality have better
economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace
agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women
enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education,
anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for
women means progress for all,” says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Inspiring
Change encourages advocacy for women's advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the
status quo for women's equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.
With
more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an
increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in
every aspect of life, one could think we have gained true equality. Unfortunately,
women are still not paid equally, we still are not present in equal numbers
in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the
violence against them is worse than that of men.
Violence
against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human
rights. A 2013 WHO global study shows that 35 percent of women worldwide
have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence.
I have
a firm belief that education can win us
the future. Cultural, social and political benefits can be translated into
society through education. The first step on the long road to equal
opportunities and development has to be through education.
It
is sad that parts of the human race have not yet learned men and women can be
partners. It is sad and repulsive that many men still need to show their
superiority through violence and rape.
Women’s
rights as human beings are non-negotiable.
Today,
on Women’s Day, as I do most days, I thank the women in my life for
being who they are, for guiding me and for shining a light on me.
Working
at IF Boutique, a ladies’ store, I meet so many women on a daily basis. Every one
of them adds something special to my day.
But
most of all, thanks go to Maya for being the rock that has sheltered my billowing
sand in the difficult times I am going through.
Although
my mom Vicky has been gone for 22 years, thanks are always due to her for being
the strong, intelligent and outspoken women that she was. She taught me to have
a voice but to be tolerant, understanding and without prejudice. Mom had class,
insight, wisdom, courage and humor -- in health and in sickness -- until her
last hours. Vicky remains my reference for a great woman.
On
this special day, I equally give thanks and celebrate the men in my life who
have helped and continue to help and support me. I especially thank fellow
blogger ArabSaga, who for the past 40 year has walked
every step of the way with me and who is now fighting the demon and hell of
cancer.
We
are preordained to be a team – women and men. There’s no escape.
Let’s
walk life hand in hand and celebrate Human's Day, with no need to qualify the
gender…
Related International
Women’s Day posts:
March 8: Women's rights non-negotiable -- March 8, 2013
The women in my life
-- March 8, 2011
Dearest Mom… --
21 March 2011
