International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
Women have many achievements to be proud of. The equality we enjoy is the result of the work of women (and men) before us. And yet, even in North America, many of us experience the residual discrimination leftover from years when we were not so fortunate. Regardless, none of us can deny we are lucky in comparison to women born in many other countries.
A video asked the question:
“If all women had rights equal to those enjoyed by men, would there still be war?”
Many organizations believe that the education and empowerment of women will assist unstable countries in stabilizing themselves. My friend, Sondra, works with www.creatinghope.org, and sent out an International Women’s Day message that included the following quote:
We honor and respect the new women heroes of Afghanistan. The woman who, after a lifetime of illiteracy, learns to read- and sends all her children to school. The widow who learns the skills to become a tailor and can now support her family. The wife who can now share passages in the Quran with her husband, and discuss the real meaning. The new nurse/midwife who works to deliver healthy babies. The woman who has moved from illiteracy upwards and is now a teacher to other women. The woman who has learned to communicate with other women over the world via the Internet.
As women, we’re created with the innate desire to nurture, to care, and to perpetuate our species. These traits are in direct opposition to war. Women and men are meant to be equal because it provides balance in our homes, our communities, and ultimately, in the world.
