Lip service to international women’s day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th. It’s a day to honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and to raise awareness of gender inequality that still exists in many parts of the world. However, some people wonder if we’re just giving lip service to International Women’s Day, rather than actually taking concrete actions to address the issues facing women. In this blog, we’ll explore this question in more detail.

First, it’s important to acknowledge that while International Women’s Day has been celebrated for over a century, progress towards gender equality has been slow in many areas. Women still face significant barriers to achieving equal pay, equal representation in leadership positions, and freedom from violence and discrimination. These issues are complex, and there’s no single solution that will fix everything overnight.

However, that doesn’t mean that International Women’s Day is meaningless. On the contrary, it’s an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the issues facing women and to mobilize action towards meaningful change. By raising awareness of these issues, we can help to build momentum for change and create a sense of urgency around addressing them.

So, what can we do to move beyond lip service and take meaningful action towards gender equality? Here are a few ideas:

1. Educate ourselves: One of the most important things we can do is to educate ourselves about the issues facing women. This means reading articles, books, and reports about gender inequality and listening to the stories of women who have experienced discrimination and oppression.
2. Take action: Once we’re informed, it’s time to take action. This might mean advocating for policy changes, supporting women-owned businesses, or volunteering with organizations that work to promote gender equality.
3. Support women: Another key way to move beyond lip service is to actively support the women in our lives. This might mean mentoring a younger colleague, advocating for a female coworker who’s being treated unfairly, or simply listening to and validating the experiences of the women around us.
4. Hold ourselves and others accountable: Finally, it’s important to hold ourselves and others accountable for our actions (or lack thereof) when it comes to gender equality. This means being willing to call out sexism and discrimination when we see it, and being open to feedback and criticism when we fall short.

In conclusion, while it’s true that International Women’s Day alone won’t solve all the issues facing women, it’s an important opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize action towards meaningful change. By educating ourselves, taking action, supporting women, and holding ourselves and others accountable, we can move beyond lip service and make real progress towards a more equal and just world for all genders.