Today, March 8, women’s groups across the globe will come together to celebrate the diversity and unity of their gender as a part of International Women’s Day.
Women’s Day is a time of reflection and appraisal in many countries, bringing together artists, musicians, performers and experts from a variety of fields, all of whom are concerned with modern issues facing women.
At the U, the day will exhibit programming ranging from speeches delivered by Utah Gov. Olene Walker and Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson to performances by female poets and presentations pertaining to domestic violence.
U students are encouraged to attend the events, but Women’s Day itself has further-reaching impacts.
Women’s Day is a perfect opportunity to focus on some glaring inadequacies in the way in which the different genders are treated both domestically and abroad.
The lack of gender equity in the work place is an issue that has garnered public attention, yet it is still an example of the gross mistreatment of women in America.
Women consistently make markedly less money for the same jobs as men, for no reason other than that the socially ingrained stereotypes of inferiority to which they have been historically subjected have followed them into the work place. This misjudgment of the female gender must be remedied. Women are in no way inferior to men, and this fact ought to be reflected in the paychecks of the those belonging to the female gender.
The issue of gender equity is not, however, relegated to the employment world.
Though valiant efforts have been made by feminists and equal opportunists, women are still treated unfairly in the military, media and sports arenas.
Even at nationally renowned military institutions like The Citadel, horror stories of women being maligned, mistreated or abused can still be heard. It is difficult and shocking to believe that in a world where women hold such respected positions as senator and governor that such gross misconduct still exists.
In the media, women are still treated as objects rather than individuals. This is apparent in the misogynistic treatment of women in music videos and in many song lyrics. Obvious to anyone who maintains any real appreciation for music is the fact that women like Janis Joplin, Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith have been pioneering forces in the musical progression. Lowering members of the female gender to objects of sexual lust and desire may not be a new phenomenon, but it definitely one that should no longer be in practice.
It is also important to remember that feminism is not necessarily something only women can be a part of. Men, as well as women, can fight for equal treatment of the female gender, and can do so with tact and respect.
