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Every year, I tell myself, "That's it, this is the one. The year when I will do something amazing to celebrate and acknowledge International Women's Day." Yet every year, I say NO! Not because I lack interest or belief in the cause. Quite the opposite.?

Every year, I fall into the trap of succumbing to peer pressure from businesses and associations in my network who are gearing up for events, roundtables, and special content. I end up feeling like I'm not doing enough or, worse, that my lack of action makes me less involved, less feminist, and less worthy of respect or acknowledgement.?

Even now, as I write this piece, I'm battling with this feeling, fearing the potential backlash of my impromptu moment of truth. The thought that I'm not doing enough occupies my mind rent-free (and I bet many women can relate to this). But when I reflect on the work I do daily with WempowerUK and my unwavering commitment to women's empowerment, which guides every decision I make and connects me with incredible change-makers, I come to my senses and bravely admit that... I'm not doing too bad!?

I also acknowledge the privilege I have to share and amplify these change-makers stories—a vital aspect of my journey toward empowerment and solidarity with women worldwide.

I've sent a message to all my friends saying “Happy International Women’s Day….today and every Day”, and the amount of “Hell, yes” replies I got is impressive. Women want to be acknowledged and respected every day, but still, in 2024 we live in a dystopian world where 50% of the total world population is not free to move, work, live, exercise their rights on their bodies, practice sports, vote, or be financially independent without being constantly mansplained, or without having to fight for very basic rights that are granted from the day they are born to the other half of the population.

So, for me, it's not just about what we're doing today; it's about what we do every day to ensure that women are included in conversations and rooms where decisions are made, where laws are written, and where inclusive policies can be crafted. It's about challenging the status quo where white, middle-aged, male groups still define the rules we all have to play by.

International Women's Day holds profound significance for me. It's a day that stands as a testament to the resilience of the 15,000 women who marched through NYC in 1908, demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights. Yet, over a century later, we find ourselves still fighting the same battles for equality, which is deeply unsettling. Women continue to lack basic labour rights and access to decently paid jobs. The burden of unpaid care work disproportionately falls on women, often overlooked by economists. Austerity measures globally harm vulnerable groups of women, including single mothers, young women, women with disabilities, older women, refugee and migrant women, and LGBTIQ+ individuals. Women in conflict zones face precarious conditions, risking their lives every day.

The bombardment of my inbox by brands offering discounts, pink feminist merchandise, and 2-for-1 cocktail deals doesn't sit well with me. These companies exploit and underpay female workers throughout the year while claiming to "celebrate" them on this day. This sales-driven commodification of women's existence through limited-time deals is deeply troubling. International Women's Day has been reduced to a capitalist celebration, with vague calls for women's empowerment encouraging consumerism rather than focusing on the celebration of women's collective struggle for emancipation and equality.

I have compiled a list of 13 reasons why I do not celebrate International Women's Day and why I find it difficult to celebrate when so many of us are still oppressed:

• Not a single country in the world has achieved gender equality.
• Over 380 million women and girls are living in extreme poverty.
• Over 1.2 billion women and girls live in places where safe access to abortion is restricted.
• 12 million girls under 18 are married each year.
• One woman or girl is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes.
• There are more forcibly displaced women and girls than ever before.
• 130 million girls remain out of school worldwide.
• Women shoulder billions of hours of unpaid childcare globally.
• Almost 1 in 4 women experienced food insecurity in 2022.
• It could take another 286 years to remove discriminatory laws for women and girls.
• Just 1 in 3 managers or supervisors is a woman, and it will take 140 years until women achieve parity.
• Women hold just 26.5% of parliamentary seats, with the earliest date for parity forecasted for 2062.
• Women earn just 77 cents for every dollar men earn.

While it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of challenges women face globally, it's crucial to remember the power of everyday actions in the fight for change. As individuals, we must resist the pressure to confine our activism to a single day and instead strive to make inclusivity and equity integral to our daily lives. By amplifying the voices of marginalized women and challenging systemic injustices, we can honour the spirit of those who marched before us and pave the way for a more just and equitable future for all.

Let's not just celebrate International Women's Day, but let's commit ourselves to the ongoing journey towards true equality, every day…?????? ???????????? ???? ???? ?? ??????’?? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ???????? ????????????????????!