In Defense of Women

“Women Hold Up Half the Sky”-Chinese Proverb


Today, March 8th, 2011 marks the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. I must say, I have a pretty sweet day lined up in honor of my gender. I am going to go and get my hair cut and colored, I went and treated myself to a mocha this morning, and I am hoping to celebrate with some girlfriends tonight.

Not bad, right?

But, I am also very aware that this day is so much more than good hair color – although, admittedly, good hair is certainly one area that brings ALL women together globally. Today is one day a year in which we have an international platform to draw attention to the fact that there is a serious discrepancy in how females are treated worldwide.

I love this video that came out for International Women’s Day this year featuring Daniel Craig (the latest James Bond) and narrated by the fabulous Judi Dench. Please watch::


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkp4t5NYzVM

So, as always on this particular blog, how can we engage? How, on this – the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day – can we DO something that makes a difference on behalf of women and girls worldwide?

And please – do NOT tell me this does not affect you or is irrelevant to you. We each came from the womb of a woman. We all have mothers. We all have sisters, daughters, nieces, grandmothers, aunts, wives, girlfriends, step-mothers. Not one of us is exempt from caring about the injustices and inequalities women face at a very disproportionate rate than men. That is fact. Pure and simple.

So, here you go - practical ways to act. Today.

1. Celebrate this day by supporting a girl’s education.
http://www.blog.helpanorphan.org/

2. Sign a petition to eradicate domestic human trafficking (the majority of victims are female b/w ages of 3 and 12).
http://petition.thebodyshop-usa.com/sign-petition.php

3. Ask Pres. Obama to do his part to end modern day slavery
https://secure3.convio.net/ijm/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=131

4. Shop at Global Girlfriend, a site that promotes and supports micro-enterprises for women worldwide.
www.greatergood.com

5. Read the statistics and better understand why this day is important.
http://blog.jumo.com/post/3723437632/jumo-celebrates-international-womens-day

http://worldrelief.org/Page.aspx?pid=2714

6. Don’t allow our government to cut foreign aid to women and children.
http://one.org/us/actnow/2011budget/index_gno.html?rc=senatebudget2011gnoa

7. Invest directly in micro-enterprising for women:
http://blog.worldvision.org/microfinance/four-women-worth-empowering/

Happy International Women's Day!

May it not take another 100 years before women worldwide realize their worth.