International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's as a day to celebrate the achievements of women, and take steps to increase gender equality. It's all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action, globally and locally.
No one government or group is responsible for International Women's Day, so many themes emerge each year.
The United Nations theme is “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”.
Another theme this year is Press for Progress. The International Women's Day web page says:
"With the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings telling us that gender parity is over 200 years away - there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and #PressforProgress. And with global activism for women's equality fuelled by movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp and more - there is a strong global momentum striving for gender parity... So we can't be complacent."
And the Women's March organizers have set the theme of Women Power To The Polls.
2. Make a vow to take action
3. Give shout-outs to women that inspire you
4. Read a book
5. Prayer
1. Wear red:
Last year on International Women’s Day, organizers of the Women’s March called on women to take the day off work in protest, avoid shopping for one day, and wear red to support the movement, “A Day Without a Woman.” Wearing red was also a way to show support if you couldn’t take the day off. (I also found one site that said red "symbolizes the revolutionary love and sacrifice women have made throughout history".)
This year we are asked to wear red in support for women voters, and to get ready to make history at the polls in 2018. The organizers ask anyone who wears red to post a photo on social media, share why they vote, and include the hashtag #WomenPowerToThePolls.
3. Give shout-outs to women that inspire you:
Another idea is to simply call all of the great women in your life and tell them how incredible they are.
4. Read a book:
Another theme this year is Press for Progress. The International Women's Day web page says:
"With the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings telling us that gender parity is over 200 years away - there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and #PressforProgress. And with global activism for women's equality fuelled by movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp and more - there is a strong global momentum striving for gender parity... So we can't be complacent."
And the Women's March organizers have set the theme of Women Power To The Polls.
Agenda Today:
1. Wear red2. Make a vow to take action
3. Give shout-outs to women that inspire you
4. Read a book
5. Prayer
1. Wear red:
Last year on International Women’s Day, organizers of the Women’s March called on women to take the day off work in protest, avoid shopping for one day, and wear red to support the movement, “A Day Without a Woman.” Wearing red was also a way to show support if you couldn’t take the day off. (I also found one site that said red "symbolizes the revolutionary love and sacrifice women have made throughout history".)
This year we are asked to wear red in support for women voters, and to get ready to make history at the polls in 2018. The organizers ask anyone who wears red to post a photo on social media, share why they vote, and include the hashtag #WomenPowerToThePolls.
2. Make a vow to take action:
Visit the International Women’s Day website for a cool checklist of ways to take action. They ask you to select the one area that you can commit to specifically concentrate on to press for progress for gender parity:
I will #PressforProgress and:
3. Give shout-outs to women that inspire you:
This is another idea from International Women’s Day website. You are invited to post a picture on social media of a woman who inspires you. Use this sample post: “Thank you for inspiring me by [explain why].” #PressforProgress.
Another idea is to simply call all of the great women in your life and tell them how incredible they are.
4. Read a book:
Read “I Am Malala”, Malala Yousafzai’s inspirational biography about the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban.
5. Prayer:
Overcome any bitterness that may have come
because you were not up to the magnitude of the pain
that was entrusted to you.
Like the Mother of the World,
Who carries the pain of the world in her heart,
Each one of us is part of her heart,
And therefore endowed
With a certain measure of cosmic pain.
-Sufi master Pir Vilayat Khan
5. Prayer:
Overcome any bitterness that may have come
because you were not up to the magnitude of the pain
that was entrusted to you.
Like the Mother of the World,
Who carries the pain of the world in her heart,
Each one of us is part of her heart,
And therefore endowed
With a certain measure of cosmic pain.
-Sufi master Pir Vilayat Khan
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