ROdown Blog
It's International Women’s Day
You might remember we celebrated Man Week with triple j last year, so it seemed to me we couldn’t let International Women’s day pass without a mention!
In fact, perhaps we should be having a Woman Week?!
Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Organisations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.
This year the theme is Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.
I personally feel very fortunate to be a woman in Australia. I know there are still some areas, for example pay, where inequalities can exist, but for the most part I feel like I am treated equally to men, I do not feel oppressed because of my gender - and I actually really enjoy being my gender.
Looking at the situation in some other countries it seems like this is a very fortunate position to be in.
So – as much as I appreciate men (!), I feel grateful and very happy to be a woman in this country.
How do you feel?
If you're female, do you ever feel your gender is an issue? What's great for you about being a woman?
If you're not female, do you have particular thoughts on the status of women in Australia?
Are there issues related to being a woman you’d like to explore further...perhaps in a Woman Week?!
And finally, did anyone do anything exciting today to celebrate International Women’s Day? I had dinner with some of my close female friends last night - not planned around today, but I think it was an unconscious celebration of sisterhood - and it was great :)
Would love to hear your thoughts!
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4 Comments
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anna
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportAnd here's a great article in Crikey on the occasion of International Women's Day which got my blood boiling - interesting read. Language warning :)
anna
almost 2 years ago
Reply Reportthanks for the comments :)
@SamB - I think things are slowly changing in some areas - but obviously not everywhere :)
I know guys who go to Parent groups, and I know lots of guys who would love to be stay at home dads! I reckon there are probably lots of women who are looking for this type of man too :)
@Antria the issue of violence against women is certainly an issue (as it is for men - but as you say, a much higher proportion seems to be directed at women).
The White Ribbon website has more info as does the FaHCSIA website.
Antria
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportI feel so blessed to be a woman in Australia! I know inequalities still exist around the world but I do enjoy being a woman and I don't feel it has disadvantaged me. I feel that there is still a larger proportion of violence towards women and girls, particularly sexual violence (although I realise these issues affect men and boys too) and that concerns me.
I haven't done anything to celebrate but glad to have read this post to draw my thinking to this :-)
SamB
almost 2 years ago
Reply ReportWhat an interesting topic!
I think it's a rather deep issue - and one with much social context. Here, I don't feel especially discriminated against because of my gender, nor my race, religion nor any number of other factors that could lead to my oppression. I think there are areas where social equality may not yet have been achieved, but for me, at my age, and in all areas to which I've so far been exposed, things seem pretty equal.
In other countries, I'm sure that it wouldn't be the case - women being oppressed in many ways for whatever socio-cultural reasons. It's important to encourage the ideals of equality in these places, but it's not something that needs to be implemented in the same way we see in the Western world. There are different ways of interpreting equality.
I think the idea of equality is really important. Obviously, there are distinct fundamental differences between women and men - anatomically to be sure, but there are also stereotypical emotional difference. Nature or nuture? I'm not sure. However, I think there is a disjuncture between what society deems as equality and what is actually equal. By this I mean that there has been a large push for 'greater women's rights' - but often this push seems to be at the expense of men. I think it's fair for women to get paid maternity leave, but I think there should be the same option for men to get an equally long period off work. Men can have just as much of a role in child-rearing. This idea goes further - the idea of 'mother's cooking', 'mothers' groups' - and it seems women are often unwilling to let go of their 'ownership' of these concepts, and yet still want everything that men have as well. That's fine, except that men should also then be able to have 'father's cooking' and there should rather be 'parents' groups.'
So - while respecting the rights of women is absolutely, 100% important, I also think we need to redefine the way in which society moves forward with reaching equality. We need it to be equal for all, not to tip the balance and oppress men instead.