Everybody has a different definition of a woman. However,empower a woman to empower the next generation.
Today the 8th of March is International Womens Day.
Its a time to celebrate the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic or This year’s theme is “Embrace Equity”.Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.
International Womens Day is a day not only to acknowledge and honor women around the world for the contributions they make each day to society but also a day for women to recognise their rights, and for the wider community to acknowledge the work that must be done to protect women from sexual harassment and all kinds of violence and abuses in society.
With the communities am working with, i always encourage gender equality and particularly working with women and girls to feel empowered to speak up, and know they are equal to the men in the communities.
We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity.
And to truly embrace equity, means to deeply believe, value, and seek out difference as a necessary and positive element of life. To embrace equity means to understand the journey required to achieve women’s equality.
International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century with the first gathering held in 1911.
Many of us have no idea about what colours symbolize International Women’s Day.
Well,Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women’s Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity and being loyal to the cause,Green symbolizes hope and White represents purity.
This day is an opportunity for everyone (regardless of gender ) to stand together and highlight the importance of equal rights for women.
First, specifically to the women, it’s about celebrating how far weve come towards gender equality and remembering those before us that fought for the things we take for granted today,our reproductive rights, equal employment opportunities, equal pay for equal work and improved working conditions.
Just as importantly, International Womens Day is also a chance to talk about how far we still have to go.
Lastly, International Women’s Day is a chance to reflect on the gender stereotypes that we all still encounter every day, in the media, in the polotical world, workplaces and traditions. Women are labelled difficult if we are too strident or outspoken in our views.
While its impossible to define what womanhood means to all women, i think we should ask the women around us what being a woman means to them. We put out a call to all gender equality contributors to ask them about their individual personal experiences working towards the cause.
Despite this, I take so much pride in being a “WOMAN” which to me is a lot about strength, mutual support, and love. The women I choose to surround myself with are always there to back me up, to rely on for whatever and whenever with unwavering levels of support. I feel so much comfort in this.
There is certainly far to go, but the tides are changing. I often see this, and every time I do, I feel a little more empowered by the knowledge that the future is “FEMALE”.
Happy International Women’s Day to all Women around the world.
Gladys Rosette Nandutu
Golden Wish Foundation Uganda 