International Women’s Day – Why It Matters

By Pam Hadder

What were you doing on March 8?  March 8 was International Women’s Day (IWD) in Canada and around the world, and it is typically marked by events celebrating the achievements of women.  It also is a critical time to address global structures that continue to disenfranchise and disempower women, while seeking ways to narrow gender equity gaps.  In many countries including China, Nepal, Viet Nam and Uganda, Women’s Day is a national holiday, but this is not the case in Canada.  Many countries also acknowledge International Women’s Week (IWW), in an effort to both be inclusive and to extend the messaging and interaction time for women’s issues and celebrations.
  

So, why is IWD/IWW so important, and how did it originate?  As a result of growing social consciousness movements, and the awareness of female oppression, 1975 was declared the International Women’s Year by the United Nations.  Why March 8?   March 8 coincides with the famous 1917 “bread and peace” protest by Russian women which deposed its oppressive monarchical structure and marked a time of great societal change.  Today we are not engaged in a World War like the Russian women were, but violence, murder and starvation are very real issues on a global scale, and the appalling truth is that one in four women and girls will be the victims of sexualized violence in their lifetime, and that many women and children around the world live in poverty and without political agency to escape their plight.  Within global structures of masculinized and militarized power, women are denied equal participation, a voice, and even life itself.

Forbes recently released its updated list of global billionaires – there are just 1,426 people that monopolize world fortunes – less than 2,000 out of billions of human beings on the Earth. The majority of these uber-wealthy types are males, with Americans leading the way, despite their vocal complaints over depressed economic conditions in their nation.  The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening within tumultuous, uncertain times – somehow, a select few manage to hoard massive stockpiles of wealth while others starve.

Often nations like Canada look to “others” or “Third World” countries, and speak of their need for aid – we are told how lucky we are to live in our great nation, and the “other” is deserving of our charity; our pity.  Canadians like to distance themselves from poverty, violence and inequity – as if it is an isolated issue in a far off land. We like to see the Third World other as less educated, less technically adept and less empowered.  But did you know that India’s literacy rate is far higher than our own and that Afghanistan has more women in political leadership roles than Canada, Britain or the USA? And did you know that Canada is on World Vision’s giving list – for meals and school supplies for needy kids, but that only 1% of the funds they raise actually go to Canadian kids?

Denying gender-based inequity is almost criminal in its ignorance, but those who speak out are often labeled as frustrated radicals or left wing malcontents.  The uncomfortable truth is that women and children are much more likely to live in need, and are more likely to experience physical violence in Canada and around the world.  Indigenous women face further barriers and they suffer increased levels of poverty and violence, exacerbated by endemic racism in our country.
  

So does International Women’s Day matter?  Hell yes!  What can you do?  Read, stay informed, share your findings and make choices in work and in your personal dealings that reinforce fairness regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. I leave you with the profoundly powerful words of Winnipeg Indigenous mother, poet, activist and humanitarian, Althea Guiboche.  Althea recently began making bannock to feed to hungry and homeless people in Winnipeg; we hope you will visit her Facebook page, “Got Bannock?” and consider how you might be part of the solution:

AGIMAAWAG  AKINA – Everyone Counts
By Althea Guiboche

I feed those people
who are wandering around
the cold, the hungry
the homeless sitting on the ground
the down on their luck
the ones asking for a buck
the ones who need someone
to show them some love
to show that they care
These are someone’s loved ones too
everyone has a story
everyone has a past
whether good or bad
I don’t look at that
we are all connected
we all belong
agimaawag akina
Everyone counts.

Women 101

By Pam Hadder
2012 marks the 101st anniversary of International Women's Week (IWW), and the occasion is marked worldwide with events, seminars, and peaceful demonstrations, all in support of gender equality. Although much has been achieved in the past 101 years, there are still many inequities in society, and females are subjected to ongoing sexual oppression -- the problems vary in degree and context from country to country, but that these type of issues are endemic and global cannot be refuted. North American women often think that women are only exploited and marginalized in other countries -- in fact, we are constantly coached about how fortunate we are to live in the western world. The problem with this disillusionment is that by comparing our issues to others that may seem more dire/extreme, we under-value the life impact of our own gender equity issues.

For example, North American medical research is most often based on male population groups, with complete disregard for feminine biology and experience. Did you know that Aboriginal women in Canada do not have the same property rights as non-aboriginal women? When living in reserve communities, they can be ousted from their homes when a marital relationship dissolves. And consider that women continue to be relegated to lower paying jobs with less decision-making power, and despite having equal education and experience, women do not receive equal pay for the same work. And what about the all-too-common mini-skirted server we see in popular restaurants today, being sexually harassed by men old enough to be her grandfather, and having to "smile and bear it" to get her tip money.

Yes, we've heard about honour killings in India, female castration in Muslim countries and sexual slavery in Thailand, but these are rare in North America, right? That's what we would like to believe, but like many forms of oppression, the victims are afraid to speak out for fear of further violence against them or their loved ones. This makes it even more important for men and women who are aware of gender equality issues to take action, and to offer support however they are able. What is a particular concern is the lack of activism among North American women. If we as women are complacent about our rights and freedoms, and if we turn a blind eye to sexual oppression of our gender, haven't we given up our power to evoke positive change?

The math is very simple -- complacent behaviour in the face of oppression gives the aggressor power. So, why don't we see more women involved in governing bodies, and why aren't women equally represented in decisions affecting the status of women? Why aren't the streets full of women, girls and their families during International Women's Week? Why doesn't Canada have a federal IWW holiday? (btw, many other countries do!)

Part of the problem is that feminism often gets a bad rap -- it is wrongly stereotyped as man-hating or as a niche area of concern, relevant only to lesbians. This erroneous view is simply "bad press" to diffuse, downgrade and mask the real issues. Feminism benefits both genders, as it focuses on equal opportunity and fair treatment for both genders. All of humanity has to co-exist; if not, we would be in a state of gender apartheid, leading to our eventual extinction. No matter what your gender is, your culture, your education, your age, your interests, or your personality -- the female experience is interwoven to your own. In fact, many characteristics that have traditionally been categorized as feminine or masculine are not actually based on gender, but on cultural norms. These include things like a love of athletics, colour preferences, and clothing styles.

Gender equality progress has been very slow, and some academics have theorized that it will take another 200 years for gender equality to be achieved on a worldwide basis. However, the global gender equality movement persists, working diligently to achieve a state of true harmony and balance. It is interesting that newer feminist scholars are establishing connections between militarism and globalization and gender oppression.

American author, actor and activist, Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back." The ball is in our hands; we just need to know that we can hold it, or we can take careful aim and throw it - throw it anywhere, at any time, and to an unlimited distance.
Looking for a way to participate in IWW 2012?
Check out: http://sarasvati.ca/season/iww-monologues/