All day today, and occurring as I write this, there are millions of women (and wonderful men) striking, marching, and protesting around the world for the “Day Without Women” event that brings attention to the fact that women really do help make the world go ‘round.:
CNN: A year on from "A Day Without a Woman," which saw women across the United States boycotting paid and unpaid labor to highlight the impact of women on society, people around the world responded to the call for a global women's strike on Thursday. Strikes are going ahead in several European countries, with the movement gaining the most traction in Spain, where the gender pay gap is 19% in the private sector and where reports of violence against women are on the rise. "Today we claim a society free of oppression, exploitation and sexual violence," said the organizers of the nation's first "feminist strike" in their manifesto. "We call for rebellion and the struggle against the alliance between patriarchy and capitalism that wants us to be docile, submissive and silent." Twenty-four hours of strikes and rallies kicked off at midnight in the capital Madrid. Protesters gathered at the central square banging pots and pans as the city council buildings behind them were lit up in purple, the official color of #IWD2018.For the second consecutive year women and men across the U.S. also participated in A Day Without A Woman today:
[The] movement that seeks to show the vital role women play in both the domestic and global economy. It also aims to bring attention to the lower wages, sexual harassment, discrimination, and job insecurity that women often face.
Those taking part are encouraged to take the day off from paid or unpaid labor, avoid shopping for one day (though they may make an exception for small, women or minority-owned businesses), and wear red—which, according to Tamika Mallory, a co-chair of the Women’s March on Washington, was chosen because “it signifies love and sacrifice, and is the color of energy and action.”
“Trumpism”, and its various iterations of toxic masculinity, has emboldened lesser men and misguided youths to revert back to the Stone Age and declare themselves the entitled gender. We’ll see how well that goes. If the numerous protests and growing #MeToo movement are indicators of what is to come, those men had better find a different cause to fight for. Women aren’t asking for equality anymore—we are becoming part of the power structure in order to ensure it.
A few interesting factoids:Rural women make over a quarter of the world population, and make up the majority of the 43 per cent of women in the global agricultural labour force.
They till the lands and plant seeds to feed nations, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience. Yet, on almost every measure of development, because of deep seated gender inequalities and discrimination, rural women fare worse than rural men or urban women. For instance, less than 20 per cent of landholders worldwide are women, and while the global pay gap between men and women stand at 23 per cent, in rural areas, it can be as high as 40 per cent. They lack infrastructure and services, decent work and social protection, and are left more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rural women and their organizations represent an enormous potential, and they are on the move to claim their rights and improve their livelihoods and wellbeing. They are using innovative agricultural methods, setting up successful businesses and acquiring new skills, pursuing their legal entitlements and running for office.
The U.S. is abysmally low in the world rankings of women represented in government. The U.S. ranks 100th in the world.
Women make up 19.6 percent of the members of Congress, and 21 percent of the Senate. That puts the country 100th in the world for female political representation, sandwiched between Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan.
This underrepresentation matters. Women arrive in positions of power with distinct experience and frames of reference. Research shows, for example, that women are more likely than male counterparts to make bills which prioritize women and families. Then there’s the role model issue — if girls and young women don’t see themselves in politics, they are less likely to aim for political office themselves.
There are 130 million girls in the world, at least, who are not in school and never will be.
There are 130 million girls not in school globally, and 15 million elementary-school-age girls will never even set foot in a classroom. This has deep social and economic implications. Education is a key pathway out of poverty. According to World Bank research, girls who get an education tend to participate more in the labor market, earn more, have fewer children, more economic independence and have better health outcomes.
This month is Women’s History Month—HuffPo does a great job posting articles, check it out.