Celebrating International Women’s Month

March marks the worldwide celebration and exaltation of the worth of every woman. March 8 is the official International Women’s Day and it exults over the social, political and economic milestones of women in the past, present and future. It is also a day to advocate equality and vigilance for women around the globe especially to areas and countries which have not yet recognized total equality and advancement for women.

The first International Women’s Day was in 1911. It is a National Holiday in some countries such as China, Cuba, Georgia, Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Russia and many others. Women advocates seek equality in legislative rights and greater visibility in every aspect of life. The battle is still going on due to the fact that some countries do not give equal compensations and benefits to women compared to their male counterparts, society is still patriarchal. Males are still dominant in political, social and economic spectrum. Women’s education and health are not prioritized by bureaucracy and what seems to be the most heart shattering is that violence against women is still a cancer to the society.

On the other hand, the advocacy of women is not totally in vain. There already are female leaders and heads of states, female astronauts and  universities are already co-educational. It is respect that women really needs. Women are men’s doorway to earth, for without women, men would not also exist. Is it hard to view women as a counterpart rather than a slave or just subject of sexual desires?

Joss Whedon was quoted “Equality is not a concept. It’s not something we should be striving for. It’s a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance, and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who’s confronted with it. We need equality. Kinda now.”