March 8th: Uniting for Gender Equality

Today, March 8th, Mexpando recognizes and commemorates International Women's Day and its ongoing fight worldwide. It is said that the fight continues because we still observe that at the current rate of progress, it will take 131 years to reach full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023.

The fight for women's rights encompasses various fundamental human rights, including freedom from violence and discrimination, access to education, equal pay, and political representation. Despite progress, gender inequality persists globally, fueling issues like domestic violence, pay disparity, and limited access to education and healthcare for women and girls. Throughout history, women's rights movements have fought tirelessly, both through traditional activism and digital platforms like the #MeToo campaign, to address these disparities.

The origins of International Women's Day can be traced back to the labor movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in events like the 1908 New York women's march for better working conditions and voting rights. The date of March 8th was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975, commemorating women's ongoing struggle for equality. Despite advancements, significant gender gaps persist, highlighting the continued need for advocacy and action to achieve full gender parity.

Girls and women face systematic barriers in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), leading to significant gender disparities in these fields. Despite efforts to promote gender equality, women comprise only 34% of the STEM workforce. Gender stereotypes, male-dominated cultures, and lack of role models contribute to this imbalance. Additionally, factors such as math anxiety and the confidence gap further discourage girls from pursuing STEM fields. These disparities persist into college, where women are significantly underrepresented in STEM majors. Women in STEM also face lower salaries compared to their male counterparts, with Latina and Black women experiencing even greater wage gaps. Closing the gender gap in STEM is crucial for promoting economic security, diversity, and innovation in these fields.

We at Mexpando not only want to empower the women around us, but we also join the fight to create an environment where everyone feels safe. For a world with equality for all.