Next Saturday is International Women's Day. Surely such a concept is outdated, in the twenty-first century?
Oh yes, we still need it.
Not only because there are so few women in the Cabinet, nor are there many with any real political power.
Not only because there are so few women with real authority in business.
Not only because the pay gap between men and women (in the UK) continues to grow, decades after to equal pay act.
Not only because there are so few women on game shows on the BBC.
Not only because a national newspaper feels it appropriate to present pictures of women's breasts and call it 'news'.
Not only because it's easier for men to get their books reviewed than women.
Not only because far greater attention and vitriol is fired at young single mothers than the fathers who left them in that position.
Not only because 30% of women in the UK have some experience of violence within the home.
Not only because 3 women a week are murdered by their partners in the UK.
Not only because the impact of benefit cuts falls unfairly on women.
Not only because statistics suggest that women still do most of the housework, shopping, child care, and general homemaking.
And not only because women struggle all over the world, and not just in the UK. In fact, women here can think themselves lucky:
Over 20% of maternal deaths in childbirth take place in India - a country with more millionaires than America.
It has taken the courage of one young women for the world to realise that so many girls don't go to school.
Rape has been used as a weapon in war.
It has taken a few brave survivors to make people begin to about the abuse that is FGM.
There are too many countries where men dictate what women are allowed to wear, where they can go, if they can drive.
So how will you be celebrating? (If you ask nicely, I'll share my cake.)
Powerful writing Jo! And very pertinent. We are more fortunate than many as we live in countries where we have a relatively good position as far as being women goes. In my profession, and here in NL, I do not suffer from inequality of pay, rank or authority, but that is largely because I am that androgynous animal, a freelancer. We all command the same rates and terms in our work. For the rest of your points, though, I have to nod. Many of them go for NL too, and as far as other parts of the world is concerned, International Women's day is still more than relevant.
ReplyDeleteEven freelancers can suffer discrimination, though it's not always obvious. But, for instance, if you look at the number of books reviewed by the Guardian at weekends, there's far more male writers than female - an unconscious process, no doubt?
DeleteAnd we're extraordinary fortunate compared with women in so many other countries.
A sobering blog post. A powerful message portrayed powerfully. Well done, Jo. Now that I no longer go out to work I don't experience such infuriating discrimination as I once did. As the only female member on the Board of Governors I remember once being asked by the male Head to make tea. He never asked me again!! And no, I didn't. He made the tea! A small point but one that reminded me how men viewed me. Even now, with the kindest, most helpful husband at home and retired, he still speaks about housework done in terms of him helping me with my chores. It's ingrained in them!
ReplyDeleteOh how this resonates - first husband used to talk about 'helping me' and never understood there just just chores than needed doing, gender has nothing to do with it!
DeleteWell said Jo. We moan about the little things while women in other countries are having their lives put in danger just because they are women.
ReplyDeleteYes Ros,my hubby is the same,he expects lots of praise for doing what I do everyday but then he points out that I can't do this and I can't do that usually because he doesn't think I can and won't show me how to.
There's nothing we can't do - but, just like men, we need to learn. My brothers learned to mend their bikes while I made pastry. What's worrying is how little has changed.
DeleteWell said, and I agree with all of that... which makes me think I should be doing something about it. I listen to Woman's Hour... not good enough. My A-Z posts are going to be about women....
ReplyDeleteListening to Woman's Hour is a great start - am looking forward to your A-Z - what a great idea for a subject!
DeleteI had to have a rethink about the A-Z. It won't only be about women any more. Maybe another time....
DeleteUgh. As Rosalind said, this is a sobering post. And it's mindblowing that these are still the numbers, after all of these years. In 2007, I celebrated International Women's Day in Cameroon -- what a day! It was great to see the number of women who took to the streets to march, parade and be seen (and also hold up traffic for ages, ha!). But it reminds me that women do come together and bring about powerful movements for change. It has happened, and it will happen again.
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouraging comment, Laura - and a great reminder what women can achieve when we work together. It's not that long ago we had to fight for the vote - I know we've a long long way to go, but we have to believe there's hope for our granddaughters.
Deletehttp://news.yahoo.com/westjet-passenger-leaves-super-sexist-note-for-female-pilot-161057500.html
ReplyDeleteWe aren't irrational or over-emotional about the way we are still treated. This is a fact of life for women that men need to wake up to. Nice post.
Her reply is as dignified as his is ridiculous. Thanks for the link to this.
DeleteJo, have you come across the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg? I found it very inspiring. It's very much focused on what women can do to change these ingrained perceptions. She says a lot of the time women reinforce them unconsciously even women like her who have reached the top of the professional tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book-thought, Val. I haven't read it, so am off the see what I can find on Amazon.
DeleteWe need it but I'm afraid it has become a bit of a token. I'd rather there was a Men's Day and Women's Day were everyday! :-) No need for one.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week.