March is Women’s History Month! According to the official website, this year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter! The goal is to put gender aside and endorse a future where both women and men (and gender non-binary, gender queer, and people who identify any other way) are treated equally in the social, political, and economic sphere.
As we celebrate the month, it’s important to know the history behind it. International Women’s Day, March 8, began in 1910 during the International Conference of Working Women, when Clara Zetkin of the German Social Democratic Party proposed establishing a national holiday to celebrate women and support their rights as citizens. Once her proposal moved forward, it initiated the gradual spread of equal rights’ awareness throughout the globe.
But let’s be real, March should not be the only month we celebrate women -- the struggles and achievements of women should really be recognized every month! Whether it’s in an office, on the field, in a classroom, or simply on the street, women continue to face the harsh realities of gender inequality. Fortunately, many women are standing up to gender discrimination. For instance, the U.S. Women’s soccer team decided to celebrate International Women’s Day by filing a gender discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation, to call national attention to their unfair pay and working conditions. Unfortunately, women’s sports teams are not the only groups facing gender-based discriminations, which is why women all over the world are continuing to break stereotypes to prove that they’ve always deserved the same rights and treatment as men!
By taking action – like filing gender discrimination lawsuits or calling out discrimination when you see or hear it – women are showing that they will not be taken advantage of and will fight for the rights they deserve! We need a world that encourages balance instead of inequality. A world where women are being paid fairly for their hard work. A world that tips the balance to support and promote female leaders in male-dominating fields like politics and economics. And, of course, a world where women are not shamed for taking control of their sexual/reproductive rights!
You can learn more about your rights as an individual at TeenSource!
Women are strong, fearless, and determined to live in an environment where everyone is treated as equals! So let’s join the movement and make #BalanceforBetter a reality!