I am conflicted …
How can I not celebrate the achievements of women, how far we have come due to the hard work and effort of my predecessors. How cannot be grateful to those female leaders that challenge the status quo and change the world so I can live in a more equal society?
As we observe International Women’s Day, I reflect on the strides we’ve made towards gender equality, it is a day marked by celebration, recognition, and advocacy for women’s rights worldwide. Yet, beneath the surface of these celebrations lies a more complex reality, and there are still many challenges that lie ahead.
The annual acknowledgment of women’s contributions feels like a double-edged sword to me —a gesture that, although well-intentioned, can distract from the inequalities that exist. Despite decades of progress, the truth remains that women are still frequently underpaid, overworked, and undervalued in many sectors of society. There are still parts of the world where women’s autonomy and rights are restricted, with some societies treating women as property rather than individuals with their own voices and dreams. This inequality underscores the farcical nature of superficial celebrations that fail to address the root causes of gender disparity.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond performative gestures and confront the realities of gender inequality head-on. It’s time to question the structural and cultural barriers that hinder women’s progress and challenge the stereotypes that limit their potential. Genuine progress requires more than annual celebrations; it demands systemic change, societal introspection, and a commitment to dismantling the patriarchal beliefs that weigh us down.
And that is why today I will not be celebrating Women’s Day, it wouldn’t feel right when there are so many thousands of women that are deprived from basic human rights.
Today I speak for them, today I use my voice for them, today I fight for a world where every woman has the freedom to pursue her ambitions without constraint or prejudice.
