International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021

Published on March 7, 2021

My name is Selina Phiri from Zambia, I am a Lieut. officer in The Girl’s Brigade and I am 30 years old. My passion for things range from self-care and being mindful of the people around and the environment that I am in. I also find passion in being confident in my own decisions and above all being true to myself, because there is no greater peace than that, which comes from being truthful to yourself. Helping others find their passion by speaking life into them and helping them rediscover the potential, make them feel good about themselves and everything around them also lend a helping hand where I can. I love singing, travelling, reading, cooking and watching movies. Last but not the list, the life of a girl child her wellbeing, future, dreams and her safety are my first priority.

“In the middle of the night she wakes up to pray so bitterly and so softly,
She prays for her children, she prays for their education
Then she prays for the man that leaves her with her children
We, praise heroes everyday, But they are those that we forget
“THE WOMEN OF THIS WORLD”
They do not run from anything, they stand and fight for what is right, even when times are hard, they are so cool, calm and collected, GOD BLESS THE WOMEN!

We have heard since time in memorial, International Women’s Day (IWD) falls on 8th March of every year and we know that, they are plenty ways to embrace the day, from supporting women-owned businesses, to exchanging International Women’s Day flowers and messages. But the question remains what are the fundamental International Women’s Day facts, and the history behind it? The answers to both are fascinating.

According to the United Nations, International Women’s Day (IWD) started in 1909 to honor garment workers who had protested against inhumane working conditions the year before. In 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland celebrated the first official International Women’s Day on March 19, were more than one million people attended rallies which focused on suffrage, representation, education, and workers’ rights. It wasn’t until March 8, 1975, when the United Nations celebrated it as an official holiday. Since then, the day has gained awareness around the globe as a way to recognize women, Raising Awareness and support for organizations that help women and girls globally and also inspire people to act in accordance with the ongoing fight for gender equality and celebrate women’s contributions to society which is selflessness, love, hard-work, and sacrifice.

This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge, under the main theme which is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” This highlights the importance of challenging biases and mistaken beliefs in the interest of creating a more inclusive and equal gender world in celebrating efforts from girls and women in order
to create a more equal future.

Furthermore, the theme this year has been aligned with the priority theme of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which is “Women’s full and effective participation in decision making in public life as well as eliminating violence to achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. This calls for women’s right to decision making in all areas of life, such as equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work in order to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

As most women stand on the front line of the COVID-19, the crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the inconsistent burdens that they carry.
Women leaders and women’s organizations such as Girls brigade Worldwide has demonstrated skills, knowledge and networks to effectively lead in the world despite the pandemic. There has been more acceptance than ever, that women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table.

In order to uphold women’s rights and fully leverage the potential of women leadership in a diverse world where society has unfairly labelled a woman/girl to be a weaker vessel and that her place is the kitchen and her role is to be a submissive wife to her husband and bear him children and that she can’t amount to much, there is need to effectively involve women in all sectors of decision making and strategic planning, because when you EDUCATE A WOMAN, you educate the WORLD! CLEARELY, all the
diversity must integrate to formulate and implement policies and programmes that will fully involve women participation in all aspects and stages of life.

Furthermore, All thanks to the United Nations for the initiative of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which is to empower and promote women’s rights and lives throughout the world and shaping global standards on gender equality. To follow up to the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development so as to accelerate the realization of
gender equality and empowerment of women as we focus on this year’s priority Theme which is “Women’s Full and effective participation in decision making in public life as well as the elimination of violence to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all
women and girls”.

As we celebrate IWD, we continue to remain relevant and positive to take up leadership roles in a world that is diverse and challenging. Choosing to reaffirm and strengthen commitment to the empowerment of women and girls and their rights to ensure high level engagement and the visibility of the deliberations which are;
 To engage in discussions on gender equality and identifying goals, achievements
and efforts to close gaps and meet challenges in order to emerge victorious.
 To consider the priority theme for the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
 To focus on issues, trends and approaches to questions affecting women and
girls.
 To agree on the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Finally, educate and empower a woman so she can speed the growth of a nation, do not restrict her growth, do not put her life at stake because she creates life and accord her, her much deserved respect and protection.

Happy International Women’s Day, Stay Blessed Virtuous Woman, you are strong and you are Loved.