We would love to see this world get to a point where there doesn’t need to be an International Women’s Day.
Not because we don’t want to celebrate and recognize the successes of women, but because we would rather see a world where there isn’t a need to highlight the lack of gender pay equity, under representation of women in many fields and ongoing human rights abuses against women in many cultures, to name just a few of the challenges women face as they try to make their way in society.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been progress, halting and slow though it may be. There is a long ways to go before we ever get to the point where gender equality is a matter of course, especially when we look at some of the current trends in the U.S. that seem to be carrying that country backwards.
Premier Christy Clark says one of the key factors is confidence. Men have it, and too often, women don’t she said. It is important, as she explained, for women of all ages to see others succeeding in fields that traditionally were dominated by men.
But it’s important for men to see it too, especially younger men and boys, in hopes of removing the attitudes that lead to building barriers to women succeeding.
We are all better off when everyone is treated equally and your gender — or race, sexual orientation, looks, religion — don’t determine how far you are allowed to get.
Sending the right message to our youth is one way to start. Because we all benefit from a diversity of voices, whether it’s around the board table, in the government cabinet, or in your office.
No one should feel their contribution isn’t welcome because of their gender.