My Darling Boo,
It’s March 8th and across the globe women are coming together to celebrate the social, economic and political achievement of women for International Women’s Day.
There has been much talk this year as to whether we really need an International Women’s Day? Some may argue that by now we have surely achieved what the movement set out to accomplish 106 years ago; we have the vote, the right to work when married and an independent footing in society without the apparent need for a male backer. Does a dedicated day serve any relevance?
I believe now more than ever it does…
While you are sat in class learning and having fun, women are fighting to ensure that education is a fundamental for girls all over the world. Can you imagine turning up to school one morning and being told that you can no longer attend simply because you are a girl? While we sat and watched the appointment of Cressida Dick as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner you were charmingly oblivious to the significance of a women filling the position – as the way it should be.
I am envious of your innocence that we are all equal and therefore everyone will be treated the same, your face when you have fleeting moments of realisation that all is not fair is a snapshot of a crumpled dream. Yet many will try to silence you by saying Feminism is a man hating campaign; there will be name calling and belittling, but as I have always tried to teach you, it says more about them than you.
I also fear it won’t be long until you realise that one of our biggest enemies is other women who look for ways to knock others and their achievements down. Don’t allow someone to say that because you are feminine and at times frivolous (a joy afforded to the young) that your voice is any less worthy of being heard.
My generation were the ones that COULD be anything they desired, your generation will be the ones the ARE anything they desire. International Women’s Day is about equality and freedom of choice.
My dearest darling, there will be those that accuse you of wanting to have your cake and eat it but I leave you with this: if that is their biggest fear then perhaps it is them who need reminding that the purpose of cake is to be eaten…
Be bold, be brave, be happy and enjoy your beautiful slice of life.
Absolutely! well said it is atrocious that there are still millions of women without the same rights as men in the world. x
Hell yes!
I’m all for empowerment!
I’ve even joined a union !
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Excellent post. We have to look beyond our own 4 walls and see that women all over the world do not enjoy equal rights and opportunities. I live in hope that one day this will be achieved.
I think your daughter will see a whole new world of women’s rights, just like we look back in disbelief at our parents generation
Sad to say, but I think a focus on women is still needed because inequality is still all around us, even in a fairly enlightened country.
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You write to your Daughter so well, I agree with every inch of this post.
Beautiful photo of you both x
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Like you I think we have come a long way but work still needs to be done. I do wonder what will happen on International Mens Day, do they all give each other a pat on the back?
I definitely think there needs to e an IWD as there’s still work to be done x x
Lovely post Rosie and I agree that it is entirely necessary to remember that women are still fighting for their rights and we are not equal, even in the Western world. Also you are right that we can be our own worst enemies. Here’s to the women building each other up.
Nat.x
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My boys debated this today at school and one decided that yes we still need it and the other that we didn’t. Interestingly once we had discussed it at home they agreed that we did need to keep it.
well said!! How the heck are you both so tanned?!
My ex-boss once suggested to me that we didn’t need IWD – he got a nice long chat about FGM for his trouble 😉