March 8 is International Women’s Day; a day set aside to appreciate women globally and challenge the issues they face regularly. This years commemoration comes with the official tag line #BreakTheBias.
In the early 1900s, women stormed the streets of North America and Europe to; protest biased treatment, gender discrimination and demanded better pay at work. As well as equal treatment in public offices and right to vote.
Year after year, more women stormed the streets in more countries demanding better treatment. Consequently, a day was set every year to challenge and provoke radical change for women in all spheres of life. Read the full IWD history here.
The IWD celebrates every woman, both young and old; and in the twenty-first century, stresses the importance of issues that continue to affect women globally. Some of these issues are domestic violence, gender discrimination at work, religious places, public offices, and so on.
Every year, IWD comes with a theme and this year, it is: Gender Equality Today for Sustainable Tomorrow; #BreakTheBias.
Break the bias is a theme that challenges stereotypes associated with women. For instance, women leadership and political roles are still being restricted. In Nigeria, a bill was passed recently to restrict women from ever being able to make their foreign spouses a citizen of the country. Another in Afghanistan, women are now deprived of freedom of expression, movement and association. In India, only 27.2 percent of women are in labour force.
So, if you’re a woman breaking the bias; demanding better pay, demanding access to political rights, right to vote and so on, IWD 2022 is celebrating you. Spread the word and use the hashtags across social media. #BreakTheBias
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. One that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”
Article written by Sola Tales