International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March. It is a time to celebrate the empowerment, leadership and achievements of women around the
And it is so much more than cupcakes, power lunches and inspiring speeches. It is about taking real action and progress.
This week is an opportunity to talk about the every day issues and people making a difference.
Why? Because casual misogyny is unacceptable, yet it seems to be happening publicly with alarming frequency.
Recently, on public transport, I couldn’t help but overhear two groups of men criticising women in leadership (their senior colleagues and public figures).
As the only woman in the vicinity, I felt uncomfortable and invisible. These weren’t critiques of leadership styles but gendered attacks, reinforcing the tired notion that women in power are inherently less capable.
Eerily familiar to a radio announcer’s judgment of women’s sport last week.
In the situation I experienced, there was no hesitation in tearing down the competency of multiple women. Instead, there was head-nodding, laughter and the too-familiar refrain when it got too crass: it’s just a joke.
It was a reminder of how vital it is to set a better example, especially in everyday situations. Casual conversations, offhand jokes, and the way we repeat slander as entertainment. Aren’t we ready to say enough?
When we mock or diminish a woman under the guise of humour, we forget there’s a real person at the other end of the joke. Saying it’s just a joke doesn’t erase the harm or excuse the culture it feeds.
Respect for women (whether political leaders, in the workplace or at home) is about more than words. It’s about modelling better behaviour, speaking up for those not in the room to defend themselves and encouraging open-mindedness over cynicism.
Smear campaigns and sensationalism might get the laughs; kindness, respect and compassion make a lasting impact.