March is declared international women’s month and 8 March is international women’s day. Every year, for this month of the year, we celebrate not only women who have made major contributions or who are multi-awarded in the different fields of endeavour, but also the women in our lives—our mums, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, girl friends, female friends, nannies, teachers, among others.
The role of women has changed dramatically over the decades that women also took on jobs usually assigned to men. Women have taken seats in government and have headed and managed large companies. While they have taken on these big responsibilities and conquered worlds, women have not been afraid to show their vulnerable sides. You can run to them for comfort, for healing, for care. They can touch you to show their affection, cry or even bawl in public and be emotional with nary an apology. A recent meme circulating in social media seem to aptly display expectations of women, “Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man and work like a horse.”
The role of women has changed dramatically over the decades that women also took on jobs usually assigned to men. Women have taken seats in government and have headed and managed large companies. While they have taken on these big responsibilities and conquered worlds, women have not been afraid to show their vulnerable sides. You can run to them for comfort, for healing, for care. They can touch you to show their affection, cry or even bawl in public and be emotional with nary an apology. A recent meme circulating in social media seem to aptly display expectations of women, “Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man and work like a horse.”
However, women do not always have it rosy. As a matter of fact, women have been subjects of violence. In a report by UN Women, data showed that as at 2013, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse from intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. In 2012, of all women killed, almost half have been killed by their partners or family members. Worldwide, more than 700 million women alive today were married as children (below 18 years of age). More than one in three—or some 250 million—were married before 15. Moreover, women and girls represent 55 per cent of the estimated 20.9 million victims of forced labour worldwide, and 98 per cent of the estimated 4.5 million forced into sexual exploitation. See more of the report on http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures
Moreover, women and girls represent 55 per cent of the estimated 20.9 million victims of forced labour worldwide, and 98 per cent of the estimated 4.5 million forced into sexual exploitation. See more of the report on http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures
In 2008, the United Nations Secretary General launched the “Say No, Unite Against Violence Against Women” Campaign to call on governments, civil society, women’s organisations, the youth and other sectors to address this issue. Last year, on 25 November 2014, the UN also commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This came with a campaign by the UN Secretary General called He for She, which also enjoined men to join the crusade. In Australia, we had a counterpart White Ribbon, a male-led campaign making women’s safety also a concern of men. The program roll-out involves schools and workplaces.
This year marks the 20th year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform on Women, for which the 59th Conference on the Status of Women will be held on 9 to 20 March. World leaders will address the issues of gender equality and women empowerment during the conference in the context of an inclusive development agenda. Worldwide, greater focus is placed on having women greater roles in society and involving them in development. This means securing their welfare through education, poverty alleviation programs and protecting their rights.
At the level of our own homes, we should teach our children to respect women and acknowledge their capabilities and contributions. That women are not punching boards, their outlet for anger and frustration or their means to show their masculinity. That women are, in fact, the men’s partner in promoting prosperity, equality, development and everything good in the world. That women should be honoured and treated as a counterpart. This can only be true if we teach and uphold that men and women are created equal. Let’s help in curbing violence directed at women.
