Do we still need International Women's Day?

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 Surely such a concept is outdated, in the twenty-first century?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.)