International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and progress in various areas.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March every year, and it involves various events, rallies, marches, campaigns, and initiatives organised by individuals, groups, organisations, and governments worldwide.
It has been observed since 1911 and has grown into a powerful platform for women’s voices, movements, and initiatives, as well as for the recognition and appreciation of their contributions and challenges, in all fields and sectors, from education and health to politics and media, from business and technology to arts and sports.
It also serves as a reminder of women’s ongoing struggles and inequalities worldwide, including discrimination, harassment, violence, and limited access to opportunities and resources. The theme of International Women’s Day varies each year, reflecting the current issues and priorities of the women’s movement. Common themes include gender equity, feminism, empowerment, solidarity, and intersectionality.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “Embrace Equity”.
The IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme aims to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough.
What is the difference between equality and equity?
Equity and equality are concepts often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and implications. Equity refers to the idea of fairness, justice, and impartiality in distributing resources, opportunities, and outcomes according to the needs, capacities, and circumstances of different individuals or groups. It recognises that people may have different starting points, obstacles, and aspirations and that these differences should be taken into account when designing policies, programs, and interventions.
Equity aims to create social and economic inclusion, participation, and advancement conditions for everyone, especially those disadvantaged or marginalised due to discrimination, exclusion, or poverty.
Conversely, equality refers to the idea of sameness, uniformity, and homogeneity in treating all individuals or groups without regard to their differences or diversities. It assumes that everyone has the same opportunities, rights, and responsibilities and that any differences in outcomes are due to merit or effort rather than to external factors or structural barriers. Equality aims to eliminate discrimination, bias, and prejudice in all forms and promote respect, dignity, and tolerance for everyone, regardless of their status or identity.
Therefore, while equity and equality are related and complementary, they require different strategies, values, and outcomes to achieve a more just and inclusive society.
Leave a Reply