By Sr. Teresa Joseph, FMA –
International Women’s Day (IWD) 2019 with its Official UN theme: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change is already in our midst. Innovation is the keyword of this year’s theme.
Origin and History of International Woman’s Day
Women’s Day first surfaced from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the 20th century in North America and across Europe. To trace the origin and history of IWD, we need to focus our attention on movement for women’s rights. The Socialist Party of America organised a Women’s Day on February 28, 1909 in New York, the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference suggested a Women’s Day be held annually. In 1975 During International Women’s Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March.
The official UN themes for IWD, from 1999 -2019 offer a rich vision of the remarkable efforts made by it to ensure that women are given their due place in home and society. Just to mention a few of the themes: Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls-2009, Equal Access to Education, Training, and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women-2011, Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!- 2015, Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality-2016, Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030-2017 and Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change-2019
A Global Celebration
Today IWD is celebrated across the World with growing awareness of the significant role of women in the family and in the society. The four global United Nations women’s conferences, have favoured the growth of International women’s movement. Today, the IWD has become a meeting point to build networks of support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.
From the yellow mimosa which in Italy men offer to women to celebrate the day to the plethora of custom gifts brought forth by the most renowned online stores across the world, there is plenty to choose from among Chocolates, custom Women’s Day Mugs and flowers. What more can we offer to women on women’s day?
What Will be Your Gift on this Women’s Day?
Wow! The answer is just here: it all depends on what place women occupy in one’s heart. Every gift undoubtedly is a token of love, respect, appreciation, loyalty and admiration. Can we think of moving beyond just flowers, cards and chocolates? The significant question what more should lead us to go deep within ourselves to look for those treasures like a little more of goodness, kindness, of patience, of listening, of empathy and sympathy. After all, life is made up of these lasting gifts that allow the other to grow and blossom.
Transformation is Taking Place
What if the whole human family took the Official UN theme: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change seriously? And what if that human family tried with all our hearts to bring about a better social world in all the myriad of ways where man and woman can find true space to Innovate for Change?
Gloria Steinem spoke about baking a new pie: “Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It’s about making life more fair for women everywhere. It’s not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It’s about baking a new pie.” It is all about becoming trend setters and builders of genuine relationships wherever we are and whatever we do. What about becoming a trendsetter this IWD 2019 in order to move ahead with ever fresh vigour and renewed enthusiasm?
The advancement of women requires identifying the right persons and putting in place the right strategy and actions. There is growing need to promote more talented women to management and leadership positions in all operations. It needs a set of clear, measurable, and attainable long-term objectives for management and leadership.
Gender equity can be achieved; gender balance can only deliver results if it is systematically addressed throughout the world. To develop a more varied and gender-balanced workforce, corporate leaders must be prepared to stand up to their decision-making committees with dynamic commitment and guaranteed accountability.
Gender balance has to be at the core of what we stand for as individuals and as communities. Employees must have access to the same opportunities and be able to develop his or her career. By tapping into the full potential of men and women we can dream for a transformative world.
Charles Malik expressed it eloquently: “The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” When the women of the world make the best of their feminine genius and work hand in hand with the men of the world searching together for what is good, beautiful and truthful: yes, then and then only, together we can and we will transform society and jointly we will dream dreams that the world have yet to see.
A very happy and fruitful Women’s Day 2019 to each and every woman across the Globe.