Women. They are so lovely, so beautiful, they make the world shine. And yet, there are many places where they are not valued. They are limited and oppressed. Today marks the 100th Anniversary of “International Womens Day.” The United Nations has recently established UN WOMEN, an agency whose mission is to advocate for gender equality and empowerment for women.
So what does International Womens Day mean to women across the world? We asked some today and here’s what they said:
Jessica Jollett, San Diego California, United States
“This day reminds me of all the struggles and triumphs of women in the past 100 years. From the most distant and abstract of ideas, such as the right to vote, to the personal, family stories of burning bras and screaming in the streets, the history of being a women is one that has been defined by iron will and the most basic, animal desire to survive. I love being a woman!”
Genevieve Nel, Cape Town, South Africa
“I heard someone once say, and I believe that a truly prosperous country depends on the wisdom and humility of men to place women in their rightful positions. For my country and for the nations I will help raise both men AND women up in the true knowledge of the value of women”
Kinda-John, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies
“Freedom n equal rights to all women. We can be ourselves here equal rights n everything.”
Germin Sanaan, Cairo, Egypt
“Means appreciation to me”
Kimberly Sandoval, Los Angeles, California, United States
“I believe what some societies have accomplished in support of women is a tremendous step in the right direction, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it “successful.” There is still much to be done in second/third world regions like North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East, and although we celebrate this day, we must also stand in awareness of the numerous women still living in countries where abuse and oppression are part of life, and pledge to continue action to increase the dignity of all women, everywhere.”
Annie Choi, Seoul, South Korea
“I am compelled to honor my mother today. Though there are many women that I admire like Melinda Gates and Arianna Huffington who have accomplished and contributed much to the global community, there is no woman I admire more than my mother for her unconditional love for me, wisdom and perseverance. She’s inserted a confidence in me that I can do anything and be anything I choose.”
Cea Miller, Sacramento, California, United States
“Being a woman, I don’t really care about what kind of job I can get, or what title I can obtain, but about the way people treat me. It’s like when Jesus told people that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no way you can love your neighbor as yourself, and lie to them, steal from them, commit adultery on them etc. So are you really valuing me if you make me your whore? Are you really valuing me if you’re degrading me? Is there any respect in that? I dont need to be the president to feel respected, but I do need to be treated like the creation I was made to be. I was made to stand in the wind and be thought of as beautiful, strong, capable, and someone to go to for strength. Maybe not the same strength as a man, but can a man carry and push a child from his body? Perhaps my strength inside is stronger than a man, and your strength outside is stronger as a man. Is one better than the other? This does not matter. What matters is that God made me this way, and I am happy to embrace Gods goodness to me. I love God. I love His creations and the way He made things. Isaiah 55:8 says,“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. – If I love God than I must have faith that his way is best – even if it’s not my way.”
