Resource Hub Quarterly Thematic OutreachEnrichment
Greetings from Resource Hub!
This quarter, join us in commemorating International Women’s Day and celebrating women all around the world. Find out more about this special day below:
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day (IWD) was first commemorated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. It was suggested by Clara Zetkin in 1910 as a celebratory occasion and a platform to advocate for women’s rights. Zetkin was known for being a feminist and was active in the German’s socialist movement at the time. IWD also later became a way to raise funds for female-focused charities. While it is not an official public holiday in some countries, IWD is still commonly observed around the world.
What are some of the problems women face?
Women suffer abuse and prejudice on a daily basis. In their 2020 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI), the United Nations (UN) reported that about 90% of both men and women hold some sort of bias against women. As a result, women face gender disparity in many forms such as the wage gap and intimate partner violence. To solve this inequality, it is important to first address the root cause of the issue. Many forms of unjust behaviour towards women are rooted in culture and religion. What’s currently alarming about this is that households may still be exposing children to biased notions on gender roles i.e. women belong in the kitchen, men should be strong and aggressive. This often translates to sexism in adulthood and further contributes to the misogyny in modern society. Some women are also perpetuating these norms within their social and domestic circles.
What’s happening this year then?
This year’s IWD theme, #BreakTheBias, aims to focus on gender equality by preventing and eliminating biased, stereotypical or discriminatory behaviour towards women. The theme calls for collective action to ensure women are treated fairly in learning spaces, work environments as well as within communities. Because bias can both be intentional and subconscious, it is important to have voices that will point out such behaviour when it’s happening. As we celebrate the women in our lives this International Women’s Day, let us spare no effort to #BreakTheBias. With time and reinforcement, we shall hope for prejudice against women to be reversed indefinitely. Meanwhile, enjoy this article on IWD celebrations around the world:
P.S. Come down to Resource Hub and check out our curated selection of books on notable women, insightful biographies and more!
