It’s International Women’s Day (IWD)! A day of celebration, action, and awareness for women and the challenges we face every day.
This is also a day to acknowledge achievements, tackle prejudice, and proudly look back at how far we’ve come.
Since International Women’s Day is celebrated internationally ‒ it’s a day of global recognition and an opportunity for women everywhere to come together to support each other.
You may wonder why in the year 2022, IWD is even needed? Let’s review:
- Doctors often dismiss women’s health concerns. On average, women experience longer wait times to be seen by medical professionals. These issues are even worse for women of color.
- That glass ceiling is real, y’all. Women earn an average of 32% less than men for the same work. At the current rate of progress, it’ll take about 135 years to close the Gender Pay Gap. Yikes.
- Just 8.1% of all Fortune 500 companies have women as CEOs.
- Currently, only 26 women sit as the head of state or government in 193 countries worldwide.
- For 90 million women, abortion is off the table as a life-saving option.
- 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of sexual assault.
- Among Gen Z and Millennial women, 45% have experienced online abuse.
- Women with disabilities are half as likely as men with disabilities to be employed.
- Get this – the seat belt was designed for the male body, meaning that those with typically feminine bodies are 47% more likely to sustain severe injuries in car crashes.
- Only ten countries in the world – IN THE WORLD – offer equal rights for women in the workplace. Guess what? The US didn’t make the list.
International Women’s Day exists to shine a light on the issues and inequalities affecting women across the world, celebrate the achievements of women, and open discussions about how we can bring about positive change with equity and equality.
Take some time today to educate yourself and advocate for the women around you. We’re all in this together!