Is International Women’s Day Even Worth Celebrating?

Annually, March 8th is a day to honour female leaders, humanitarians, academics, innovators, ceiling glass breakers and other heroines. I’m not certain what I should be celebrating this year other than friendship and love amongst women. I’ve taken that for granted for too long, and always tended to pitch my intimate relationships, and familial relationships above my friendships.

I feel differently now and only recently so. Due to the recent awareness that I didn‘t realise how much I loved a younger friend until she died unexpectedly from an aggressive form of cancer. I got complacent, as all the women in my inner circle survived COVID. I’m now seeing all my connections as more valuable.

As I’m evolving, my feminist identity is evolving too. And I find it amazing, that in the 21st century, women are still fighting for equal pay. But, I’m not the type of feminist who would generalise about all males, and consider them all to be enemies of females. After all, I owe my femaleness to the chromosome that came from my father. For which I’m very grateful! But, I’m learning that feminists are a diverse group, much like women are.

I do however stand up against misogyny, domestic abuse, sexual violence, inceldom and stand up for mental well being. For all genders.

So when I reflect on international women, I think about those around the world, in less fortunate positions than me, and what I can do about their situation. I can repost the atrocities of war etc on social media, and donate money or goods to worthy causes, sign petitions and support them in those little ways before returning back to my safe life. After all, I did something, right? Actually, all I did do was to tap my screen a few times. Not worthy of a selfie showing my altruism I’m afraid!

I’m currently thinking about those women who now have to make petrol bombs, carry weapons and fight for their country. While saying goodbye to their menfolk, who are forced to fight in a war some of them didn’t want and don’t support. I don’t ever want to learn how to make petrol bombs, or kill anyone, or see my partner, sons or grandson conscripted to fight for ‘Queen and Country’. But, I’m not fully certain, what my response will be if someone threatens the life of a loved one. Just saying!

I’m also thinking about the sexual violence that is used as a weapon of war and how this impacts people in many countries. People traffickers have been found to be waiting on the Polish borders, for Ukrainian women and children to arrive. Although they are now being intercepted, it’s likely that some families were already taken by men with cars who promised to drive them to a ‘safe place’.

But prior to this, Afghan girls now have restricted access to education, and are forced to adhere to traditional Taliban values. Females in other areas of conflict such as Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Myanmar will be still suffering because of war and perhaps experienced sexual violence as a result of the ongoing conflict.

Most of the girls kidnapped from the Chibok school in Nigeria by Boko Harem seven years ago, are still held captive. Clearly, this fact is not deemed newsworthy.

Women in war torn Democratic Republic of Congo not only had to deal with sexual violence from soldiers, but then experienced sexual exploitation and bullying by staff from international aid charity Oxfam (2021). The same charity who just completed a three year ban after it was found that Oxfam staff sexually exploited people in Haiti (2018).

And let’s not forget, those who are transitioning into or from being a woman, and how they will be treated in conflict zones around the world.

So although I do sincerely wish all women a Happy International Women’s Day, for some international women, they can’t celebrate. They lost their freedom to sing, dance, be joyful, study and/or work. They lost the right to be in charge of their own bodies. They lost contact with loved ones who miss them dearly and who they may never see again.

They can’t dress how they want, or adorn themselves with new hair dos, cosmetics or fragrance. They may be using toilet paper, leaves or rags for menstrual products. They’re bringing new life into the world in unsanitary conditions.

So, dear International Women, whether you pray, wish, affirm or do rituals, please have a moment (perhaps one minute in silence), for those sisters who remain oppressed, suppressed, repressed and depressed around the world. And appreciate the next time you can spritz your favourite scent, get your nails/hair done or touch up your make up. Our freedoms are hard to come by, and can be easily taken away.

One Love