Welcome to Day Eight of the Writer Friends Challenge!
Today is International Women’s Day, a day set aside but the United Nations in 1911 to celebrate the social, economic, and political strengths, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. It also brings to light the vast disparity in gender equality. While we have made strides in the past 114 years, according to the World Economic Forum, global gender equality will not be achieved until at least 2133.
It’s hard, you Friends. I’m in the US and it is so hard to celebrate all things being a woman while the current administration is attempting to wipe women out of existence is dismaying. They are erasing the history of women’s achievements in science, tech, military, and are actively working to kill us by denying us access to healthcare, attempting to criminalize us from traveling to seek healthcare. They even want to criminalize what media we consume—yes, the men want to make reading and writing romance a crime! It’s not a call back to “better times” or “back to morality” as they want everyone to believe. It’s about those in charge (white middle aged men) staying in charge and keeping women in “their place”.
I don’t know about you, but a woman’s place is wherever the hell she wants to be.
This year’s campaign theme is #AccelerateAction and it is something I plan to take part in. I’m going to actively search out events in my general area where I can make my voice heard and make a difference. I will not sit idly by while people—men—try to make decisions for me and my sisters across the country and around the world. It is important that I support women creators by lifting them up and making sure their voices are heard and their stories told.
So, search out your women writers, poets, artists, musicians, and businesses. Make a conscious effort to purchase from and support them. I know, times are tough financially right now, if you can’t buy from a woman owned company, support them other ways. Let people know who they are and what you love about them. Spread the word and know that someone out there can help support them, too.
I’m going to leave you with this video of The Labour by Paris Paloma. If you’re on TikTok, I’m sure you’ve heard this. There is much more to it than just the underlying chorus that is the popular soundbite going around. It’s a really powerful song and definitely worth a listen.
I know this is a heavy topic today, but much of it is stuff that has been in my head for the past several months. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, and if you do, know that I am just a message away if you need someone to listen to.
Christina