Once a year, on March 8th, the world pauses to celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s a day of reflection, appreciation, and a call to action. From the suffragettes of the early 20th century to the present-day activists fighting for gender equality, women have been at the forefront of social change, innovation, and progress. This year, as we mark International Women’s Day 2024, the United Nations has set a powerful theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
International Women’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of the countless achievements and contributions of women across history and geography. From securing the right to vote to breaking glass ceilings in corporate boardrooms, women have continually pushed boundaries and challenged norms. Today, we honour their courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to a more just and equitable world.
However, amidst the celebrations, it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges that still persist. The United Nations has highlighted five pressing issues that demand our attention and action.
Firstly, ending poverty remains a paramount concern. The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts have exacerbated global poverty levels, pushing millions of women and girls into extreme hardship. Immediate and decisive action is needed to prevent further deterioration, ensuring that over 342 million women and girls do not live in poverty by 2030.
Secondly, implementing gender-responsive financing is essential for achieving sustainable development goals. As countries grapple with economic instability and rising prices, there is a risk of significant cuts to public spending. Such austerity measures disproportionately impact women and their access to essential services. To mitigate these effects, governments must prioritize gender-sensitive budgeting and allocate resources equitably.
Thirdly, the transition to a green economy and caring society is imperative for gender equality. The current economic model perpetuates gender disparities and environmental degradation. Advocates argue for a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy—one that values caregiving, promotes renewable energy, and empowers women as key stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Moreover, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare is fundamental to women’s empowerment. Education is a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination, yet millions of girls around the world are still denied this basic right. Similarly, adequate healthcare services are essential for promoting women’s well-being and reproductive rights.
Lastly, ending gender-based violence remains a critical challenge. Despite progress in raising awareness and enacting legislation, millions of women and girls continue to experience violence and abuse in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence must be comprehensive, addressing root causes and providing support to survivors.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Let us recognize the inherent value and potential of every woman and girl, irrespective of their background or circumstances. Let us invest in women not only as a moral imperative but as a pathway to a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.
In the words of UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, “As conflicts, climate crisis and backlash on women’s rights increase, we urgently need investment for solutions to achieve gender equality. 614 million women are living in conflict settings.From Afghanistan to Gaza, Sudan to Ukraine. Women face an increased risk of gender-based and sexual violence, food insecurity and poverty. Around the world the climate crisis means, that women are spending more time securing food, water and fuel for their families and communities.This is time they could spend engaging in paid work. In addition to the challenges, the pushback against equality grows in many places around the world. Now more than ever, investing in women isn’t just the right thing to do. It is the smartest investment we can make for our shared future. We need more women leaders in governments, businesses and peace negotiations. In order to reduce women’s and girls poverty, we need more childcare, and elderly care options, pensions, healthcare and social benefits. International Women’s Day is our chance to recommit to and shape the future we want – one of equality, for all women and girls, everywehere. Now more than ever, it’s time to make the choices and the changes that will put us back on track to achieve peace, prosperity and a planet in balance. It is time to Invest In Women and to Accelerate Progress.”
Video Credits: linkedin.com/UN Women
On this International Women’s Day, let us heed the call to action and work tirelessly towards a world where every woman and girl can thrive, unencumbered by discrimination or injustice. The journey towards gender equality may be long and arduous, but together, we can accelerate progress and create a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.