Girl Power
- Ann Russell
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
No doubt the males amongst you have already tuned out, but this blog celebrates International Women's Day, a global tribute to women and I make no apologies for that. Patriarchy is a condition of society that is damaging for everyone, not just women. In fact, this subject is so important to me that I have written a book about it and I am using this blog and the day itself to launch the book.
Every year on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated worldwide, honoring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day serves not only as a celebration but also as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. As I have said in previous IWD blogs, the need for the day stems from the fact that even in the 21st century patriarchy still has a firm hold. And it is damaging to all of us, by means of the impact on the natural environment which sustains us.
The roots of International Women's Day can be traced back to the early 20th century. Here are some key milestones:
1908: A group of women garment workers in New York City staged a protest demanding better working conditions, shorter hours, and the right to vote.
1910: The first official International Women's Day was proposed at the Second International Socialist Women's Congress in Copenhagen, with over 100 women from 17 countries in attendance.
1977: The United Nations officially recognized March 8th as International Women's Day, encouraging member states to proclaim March 8th as a day for women's rights and world peace (emphasis mine).
Each year, International Women's Day has a specific theme that highlights particular issues affecting women globally. The themes aim to inspire action and raise awareness about gender inequality. For instance, recent themes have focused on topics such as gender equality in the workplace, women's health, and violence against women. This year's theme is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” remembering that even in westernised cultures, women are still seriously disadvantaged.
International Women's Day is significant for several reasons:
Awareness: It raises awareness about the ongoing struggles women face around the world, including discrimination, violence, and economic disparities.
Empowerment: The day empowers women by celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.
Action: It serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to participate in International Women's Day:
Attend Events: Look for local events such as rallies, workshops, or discussions that focus on women's rights and empowerment.
Support Women-Owned Businesses: Make a conscious effort to support women entrepreneurs in your community.
Educate Yourself and Others: Read books, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts that discuss women's issues and history.
Use Social Media: Share posts, articles, and messages that highlight the importance of gender equality using hashtags like #IWD2026 or #InternationalWomensDay.
Obviously, I could "help" you celebrate international women's day by means of several of the above points. My business is female owned as are many other artists who operate as sole traders. If you are looking for a gift or some artwork to brighten up your own walls, buy from one of these awesome female artists. I can also help you educate yourself by means of reading my book. Making Herstory, as I have said, was borne of my own felt need to call people to action regarding the current state of the world.
The book addresses the problems caused by patriarchy that impact women in every area of life, including economics, government and leadership, relationships, the home, and the natural environment, which concerns us all. In the book, I draw on my personal experiences and extensive research to explore the origins and continuation of patriarchy, which I have unfortunately but inevitably found to be rooted in Judaic religions. I also explore ways to confront and replace patriarchy with a more compassionate and inclusive system for everyone. For myself and many others, the urgency for change is heightened by the existential crises we all face. You can buy a kindle version from Amazon, or a hard copy from my website.
Female owner of Echo Media, Katie McLean has also drawn together a number of women leaders in our local community, also referred to as HerStory (great minds, Katie). Grab yourself one of the "Echo" papers and get to know these impressive women.
International Women's Day is more than just a day of celebration; it is a powerful movement advocating for the rights and recognition of women everywhere. By participating in this global event, we can contribute to a more equitable world for future generations. Let's honor the women who have fought for equality and continue to strive for a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender.
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