It was never about the cupcakes

Shocking but true - #InternationalWomensDay didn’t start out as corporate cupcakes.

It began with a protest.

In 1908, 15 000 women marched through New York City to demand #equalpay and the right to vote.?A subsequent #equality March in 1910 and another in 1911 led to the first International Women’s Day.

A million people, in multiple nations, marching for the right to work, vote and to end discrimination.?

So 112 years on - what’s changed?

• We can now?vote.?And since the 1970s we’ve been allowed to sit on juries in the US.
• In theory, we can no longer be fired for being pregnant.?The American legislation changed in 1978. Although, let’s be honest, this still happens illegally, far too often.?And as of 5 years ago, Moms can?publicly breastfeed?right across the USA.?(Yup, it was illegal in some States til 2018)
• Equal Pay is protected by law.?But, we know companies still flout this legislation. They know it’s expensive and super difficult to prove if you ARE being paid unfairly.

Here's a small, scary sample of where progress is sliding BACKWARDS:

• More than a dozen?US states have BANNED most abortions. The rolling back of #roevswade a catastrophic blow to women's health and our right to choose.
• Little girls still today receive less allowance?(pocket money)?than little boys. Thanks to unconscious bias and gender stereotypes - the gender pay gap starts early.
• ?130 million+ girls around the world are denied the right to an education.?

Make no mistake - we are still targeted, attacked and held back purely because of our gender.

STILL!

In 2023.?

It’s enraging.?

It’s depressing.?

It’s incredibly distressing.

So …. what can YOU do?

Sure - enjoy the corporate cupcakes and get up ridiculously early (and arrange the extra childcare ??) for the #IWD Breakfasts.?

But you and I both know - that's performative - and not enough.?

• Shine a light on the challenges facing those more marginalized than you.
• Be a better #ally than you have been in the past
• Use your power & privilege and speak up -?loudly?- if you see #inequality

Yes - there may be consequences.

And yes, your courage may make others feel uncomfortable.?

But I fear for our future if we stay silent.?

Meggie