International Women’s Day grew out of a time of political unrest and huge inequalities for women. The website for IWD truly outlines the struggles and huge strengths of the women who, at the time of political inequality and poor treatment, were brave enough to stand up against such treatment and ask for something to be done. International Women’s Day began officially in 1910 thanks to Clara Zetkin, a day in which women could table their thoughts and problems with the political and social situation, and for appropriate attention to be paid to work towards solving such problems.
International Women’s Day began as a rally for equality and fair treatment, for equal rights in voting and at work. Today, despite the huge amount of change and improvement we have witnessed, it is still important that we understand the roots of the day. Women were strong enough to champion for change, and it worked! We must celebrate their strength and also continue our awareness of how things still must change. The IWD website outlines a number of movements from 1900 onwards of the trials and tribulations of the women of the time, but also highlights that women still suffer more from violence, global women’s education is still worse than that of men, and we are still not represented equally in politics and business. These things need to change, and we, the new generation of these amazing women, need to realise that all has not been won. International Women’s Day encourages us to look beyond the comfort of a country where we are able to go to school and university, and look at other countries where females speaking out, working, and feeling safe in their own homes. is still a foreign concept.
Number one suggestion for anyone with an interest in this topic is to take a look through the International Women’s Day website, it is such an amazing cause and the compilation of women’s history is interesting and enlightening! http://www.internationalwomensday.com/default.asp#.UTNhPjBdCSo
They also have a Twitter account: @womensday encouraging sisterhood globally online! And, whilst you’re on Twitter, there’s a really enlightening project called the ‘Everyday Sexism Project’ in which Twitter users tweet their everyday experiences of sexism which really highlights how normalised it has become, sometimes disturbing! But if you needed further convincing the job of feminism is far from finished, give them a follow too! @EverydaySexism
The Union are holding a series of events on the day to get you feeling empowered! All the events are free, but ticketed, so get yours now!
– 12.00-2.00 – ‘Talking Women’: women discussing business and feminist issues, three, 30 minute talks. Go and see what other women out there in the world are going through!
– 2.30-4.00 – ‘3-Minute Feminist’: staff and students can participate in 3 minute presentations discussing their theses on feminism. Should be a really interesting watch and could get quite heated! For the raging feminist in all of us!
– 4.00-5.00 – ‘Photography Exhibition’: under the themes ‘Where Have You Been/Where Are You Now?’ you can view the shortlist for the photography competition, should be an interesting insight into how female topics can be translated into images!
There’s also a charity fundraiser a couple of weeks after which might be worth a look in if you’re still in the area over Easter! Info on the events page here: http://www.hercampus.com/school/leeds/international-womens-day-charity-alldayer
And a performance of ‘Lady in Red’ on Tuesday 5th in support of Jewish Women’s Aid, more information on that here: https://twitter.com/cctheatreco/status/302084889698775040/photo/1/large
And another discussion/lecture type thing within the theme of youth work! http://www.indefenceofyouthwork.org.uk/wordpress/?p=3049
GIRL POWER!
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