Photo by Lindsey LaMont on Unsplash

By: Parniya Bayat Mokhtari 

On March 8th every year, International Women’s Day is celebrated. It is a day to honor and recognize the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women. This is the one day of the year that recognizes the contributions that women offer to individual communities and the world, highlighting the hardships women have faced while still leading the way for others. 

Women’s day started as a way to bring attention to women’s rights and sexism seen towards them. Unfortunately today men are still consistently recognized for their achievements daily, and although that is a positive, we need to give equal recognition to women when deserved. We need to take a step back and appreciate who women are as mothers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and girls who fight for their rights, just like those before them.

In Ontario and throughout the rest of the world, the majority of women still experience economic disadvantages that limit their financial independence. Women earn 23% less than men internationally, and women hold just 24% of parliament seats, which points to just some disadvantages they experience in life.  Last year’s theme, “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world” recognized the significant impact Covid-19 has had on women, both economically and socially. Some women have had to bear additional difficulties while stuck at home; such as increased domestic violence and additional child care obligations. 

This year, it was decided that the theme for  International Women’s Day will be #BreakTheBias, which emphasizes the importance of confronting biases and misconceptions in the pursuit of a more inclusive and gender-equal society. Bias, whether intentional or unconscious, makes it difficult for women to progress. Recognizing bias isn’t enough; action is required to level the playing field. You can do your part by actively calling our gender bias, discrimination, and sterotyping whenever you see it. 

This International Women’s day, we invite you to recognize your own and/or others’ experiences, aims, dreams, and views regarding Women’s Day, spending some time during the 8th to discuss your thoughts and ideas with others. 

Remember, no titan walks alone! 

Works Cited: 

“Women around the World Earn a Quarter Less than Men, Finds UN Report.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 17 Oct. 2017, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/women-salaries-men-gender-pay-gap-world-un-report-a8005796.html. 

“Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.” Timeskuwait.com, 8 Mar. 2021, https://www.timeskuwait.com/news/women-in-leadership-achieving-an-equal-future-in-a-covid-19-world/. 

“IWD 2022 Campaign Theme: #BreakTheBias.” International Women’s Day, https://www.internationalwomensday.com/2022Theme. 

“UN Women | Explainer: How Covid-19 Impacts Women and Girls.” UN Women, 17 Mar. 2021, https://interactive.unwomen.org/multimedia/explainer/covid19/en/index.html.