“Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”
Kofi Annan
The International Women’s Day is a global celebration commemorating women’s cultural, political, and social achievements. It is observed yearly on March 8. It’s a day to honour women’s outstanding achievements and to unite to promote gender equality around the world. Public speeches, rallies, exhibitions, workshops and seminars on themes and concepts, debates, quiz competitions, and lectures are held by organisations, including colleges and institutions, all around the world to celebrate the IWD.
The theme of the International Women’s Day 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. And according to the UN Women, the theme for 2022 is about “recognising the contribution of women and girls all over the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response to build a more sustainable future for all”.
Gender equality has been discussed for quite some time. The inevitable necessity of creating a world where everyone has a fair chance to participate in major decisions has been an issue that has been debated all across the world. The IWD 2022, on the other hand, has added a new, but equally crucial perspective to the discussion: gender equality today for a sustainable future. Gender equality is not just a fundamental human right, but also a vital foundation for a world that is peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable. Gender equality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set forward by the United Nations, and it must be realised in order to ensure a sustainable tomorrow.
Although much progress has been made in establishing gender equality over the years, there are still obstacles to overcome, including underrepresentation in the political sector and the persistence of violence, among other issues. It has also been noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress toward gender equality. In 2020, the UN Secretary-General made a similar declaration. “Limited gains in gender equality and women’s rights made over decades are in danger of being rolled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he warned. Without a question, the pandemic had an impact on many sectors around the world, but it exacerbated inequities for women and girls. Unpaid care work is on the rise, as are violent cases, indicating that the epidemic is impeding gender equality. However, the pandemic may have hampered the success of gender equality movements; it may also serve as a springboard for recovery. Women should not be left behind in the post-pandemic rehabilitation process but should be actively involved. This will be a positive step toward a quick recovery and the achievement of the SDGs.
It is critical to empower all women and girls in order to foster economic progress and social development. This is a fight for everyone who wants a better society, not just women. Although the International Women’s Day honours women’s accomplishments and promotes gender equality, the desire for gender equality is not restricted to that day. Regardless of one’s standing as a man or a woman, a boy or a girl, there is a need to uphold the principles wherever one is. Whether a man or a woman, it is important to participate in gender equality initiatives and activities. One should also be an example of gender equality and fairness wherever they go, advocating the cause. These seemingly insignificant details add up to attaining the shared aim.
As students, we can stand up for our female classmates and ensure that things are done fairly and equally. If we are adults, we can also assist and empower women and girls in our community. Most importantly, do not accept, permit or allow any activity or decision that promotes inequalities.
Gender equality begins in the mind. It is a person’s perception of treating another person in the same way as he or she treats himself/herself. It is more of a daily practice than something that happens in one day. Furthermore, we must recognise and understand our particular motivation for a world that is gender equitable. This will assist us in reflecting on our actions and maintaining our focus on the goal. While campaigns like this are helping to create a world with equal gender rights, there is still much more work to be done. However, it is important to remember that achieving gender equality for a more sustainable tomorrow starts with us.
Egbewande is a Pharmacy student, researcher and online content writer.
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