It has been more than 100 years since the first International Women’s Day assemblage, now March 8 has become an annual celebration highlighting the achievements of women and promoting a call to action in helping to further gender equality.

This year’s theme is #EachForEqual, which according to the IDW website was derived from the “notion of collective individualism”, which is the idea that “we are all parts of a whole” and our individual actions, words and choices can affect the whole.

Women in science. Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels, original image cropped.

Gender parity has come along way since 1911, with more women being represented in traditionally male-dominated workplaces and positions, improved laws, education and health care, improved support networks and options, and the breaking down of harmful feminine typecasts.

However, this progress does not mean we now live in a world of gender parity. Far from it in fact. Women are still paid less than their male counterparts, account for the majority of domestic violence suffers, and, in some nations, remain subjected to brutal abuses and oppressed by equally brutal systems.

So, while March 8 is indeed a day for collective celebration and action, every day we should treat and speak to each other kindly and respectfully, and to hold each other up and collectively continue on the path towards gender equality.

For those wanting to join IWD celebrations at the University of Newcastle, come along to a free BBQ, stalls and entertainment on Tuesday, 10 March 2020, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Park on the Hill, Callaghan; check out the Facebook event page for more information.

More local events include Nova for Women and Children Breakfast on March 6 and a Port Stephens Breakfast on March 9. Also, if you are into the history of IWD, I highly recommend checking out the IWD archives at Radical Newcastle. And, there are loads more resources available on the IWD website.

Feature Image by Chelsi Peter from Pexels.