#ChooseToChallenge: International Women’s Day 2021

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, world over, the social and economic impact of the virus is particularly hard for women. As the pandemic took hold, the past year was one of sacrifice.

Too many people lost their lives, their loved ones. Others fought hard to survive – physically, emotionally and financially. It is for this reason that we must #ChooseToChallenge women’s roles at home, at work and in our society in response.

Women’s day is usually marked on 8^th March of every year, this day recognizes the social, economic, and even the political achievements of women globally.

International Women’s Day, IWD

The International Women’s Day  was started by the woman leader for the Social Democratic Party in Germany Clara Zetkin, the day was first observed in March 19,1911 in Germany, Denmark and Switzerland then later on women from other countries were made to adopt. The date was then moved to March 8 in 1913.

It is the day for women to press for their demands.

The 2021 theme for IWD is #choosetochallenge, and therefore, we invite all of us – women and men alike – to choose to challenge old patterns and to adopt new ones more suitable for our needs today.

We have our work cut out, at home, at work and in leading the way.

It is clear that women in the past have been denied access to their rights, the world is changing and women need to be appreciated in every aspect they bring to the society. And for that they deserve an equal future free from violence, stigmatization, a future that is peaceful and sustainable with equal rights and opportunities. To enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the right to be educated, to vote, to own property, the right for leadership and the right to earn fair and equal wages.

Work begins at home

Women have the equal position to attempt and to work, they have always been suppressed to stay at home, thus, IWD inspires women to raise their voices that they are capable of developing and not conform to ideals, but where men and women can cooperate in various areas of life to change the world.

All women are able to work as men, except where it requires a lot of energy. There are still occupations that women can do that requires womanhood rather than staying at home with no job.

Women have a lot of responsibilities than men, not only responsibilities at home but also as a career woman. The roles of a woman in nation development does not limit her roles in family prosperity.

Career woman

Women can still play a good role in being a successful career woman without breaking her role as a housewife in which household is also her responsibility.

Women have the right to be leaders in the society because they too have skills and achievements, they have the same goals as men, the only difference is physical appearance.

Giving opportunities to women is not only about winning the women, but also about changing how countries and communities work.

Equality between men and women cannot be a waste of time if women act upon the ability to be competitive with men to their womanhood.

Greater participation of women in work – supported by adequate public childcare and flexible working time arrangements for women and men – would be a big step towards closing the gender pay gap.

So, let’s choose to challenge established career paths – to encourage women and girls to advance where too few women have gone so far.

Happy International Women’s Day to every women in the world.