Let’s Keep the Politics in International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is here and is an opportunity to be reminded of all the progress that’s been made when it comes to women’s rights, and all the progress yet to be made. The day has its roots in organizing for women’s voting and labour rights and so from the beginning has been rooted in activism. So every year on March 8th, the world comes together to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, as well as to call for action towards achieving gender parity.

The United Nations officially adopted IWD in 1977, designating it a day for member states to promote women’s rights and international peace. Since then, IWD has become a rallying point for activists, organisations, and individuals worldwide.

The 2024 theme is: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress. A theme that touches on the key issue of active and intentional investment in girls and women as the way to uplift them. Right from the grassroots, governments, communities and organizations can invest in girls and women through education, healthcare, guaranteeing their safety and resources. 

One of the things that rubs me the wrong way is the commercialization of International Women’s Day, especially by corporations and brands. Feminism and women empowerment have become sexy over the years and there’s a push to be visibly pro women. This is well and good, as long as everyone remembers that this is a day rooted in politics and real progress must be made. It’s not a corporate Valentine’s day where women are given flowers and a pat on the back in pink calligraphy. Corporations must especially work to ensure they support the women who work for them with equal pay, adequate maternity leave and healthcare and providing a supportive environment free of sexist practices, at the very least.

There’s also a tendency to celebrate individual women during IWD, which I think is not a problem, as long as we remember that this is a day for the collective. We must look at girls and women as a collective and ask ourselves if we are making progress as a collective. There’s no point in having 5 women at the top if the majority are struggling at the bottom. 

As we celebrate IWD this year, let’s reflect on the ways in which we can practice solidarity across difference for the benefit of the most vulnerable of us.