International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8th, with a campaign that supports a cause important to women for the entire year. Each year offers up a new campaign designed to bring light and awareness to the gender-imbalance across the globe. This encompasses gender equality in the workspace, boardrooms, government, media, sports coverage, wealth, and each and every corner in our every day lives.
Finding and maintaining a gender balance is vital for overall world health and growth. International Women’s Day is a celebration of the world’s women and their social, economic, cultural and political achievements, while also forcing a call to action for speeding up and bettering the statistics of gender balance.
Celebrations for International Women’s Day began in 1911, with over one million people in support. Now, there are groups that support IWD in every city, in every state, and in most every country. In a quote given by Ms. Gloria Steinem, she states that, “the story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization; but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Steinem is a world-known feminist, journalist and activist who works tirelessly on women’s and human rights issues.
How can you help spread the world about International Women’s Day?
It’s easy! During the Balance for Better campaign, the group asks for these helpful social media posts from anyone who is willing and able!
- Take a moment to strike a pose for the Balance for Better campaign! Take a selfie and use the hashtag #BalanceForBetter & describe how you are helping to make a positive difference in our world for women everywhere.
- Post blogs, articles and links related to International Women’s Day using the hashtag #BalanceForBetter or #InternationalWomensDay.
- Snap a selfie of yourself or a group of friends with your hands out to the sides, as if asking ‘what,’ which symbolizes a balance pose and call to action for other people to help work towards a more gender-balanced world. When posting these selfies, use the hashtags #BalanceForBetter and #IWD.
- Begin your own local group and promote and carry out community volunteering activities, spreading awareness of International Women’s Day, and help to steer our world into a more gender-equal place.
Where can I join a local event?
In Indiana, you can find a local event that takes place in Indianapolis called Pass the Torch for Women. They have information on the IWD website, and on many social media outlets. To find other events in your state, use this link to search your area.
To Search International Women’s Day events: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EventSearch
The future for women is open to endless possibilities with a more gender-balanced world. Everyone has a part to play in ensuring the world becomes more equal and balanced for all humans, of all creeds and cultures. All support helps to spread awareness. This includes grassroots activism, state support, and worldwide action. In our world today, respect and balance are now expected aspects of human life. These moments will be celebrated in future history lessons. Balance makes for a better world!
Citations:
InternationalWomensDay.com
Gloria Steinem, quote
Facebook, International Women’s Day page https://www.facebook.com/iwdmarch82014/