Women’s Day: A Critical Reflection on the Struggles, Triumphs, and Resilience of Women

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?????????????????????????? ??????????’?? ??????, observed every year on March 8, is a global celebration of women’s achievements. But amidst the festive speeches, marches, and hashtags, it is crucial to pause and acknowledge the harsh realities that women around the world still face. This day, while filled with joy and solidarity, must also serve as a call to action—one that demands a critical examination of the systems of oppression that continue to subjugate women.

Despite the significant progress made in many areas, gender inequality remains deeply entrenched in all aspects of life—politics, education, the workplace, healthcare, and even in the home. Women, especially women of color, working-class women, trans women, and non-binary individuals continue to bear the brunt of this systemic injustice.

The fact that women remain disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and discrimination is not merely a historical anomaly—it is a global epidemic.

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In many countries, women still perform the majority of unpaid labor, especially in the home. This "???????????? ????????????" of working outside the home while managing domestic responsibilities is a reality for countless women.

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In the workplace, the struggle for equal pay and opportunities remains an enduring battle. The gender pay gap continues to persist, with women earning, on average, 84 cents for every dollar a man makes in the U.S., according to the ???????????????? ??????????’?? ?????? ???????????? (????????).

For Black women, Latina women, Indigenous women, and other women of color, the gap is even wider. This economic disparity is not just a matter of fairness—it has far-reaching consequences for women’s independence, security, and ability to break free from abusive relationships or poverty-stricken environments.

One recent example of the disparity in pay is the uproar surrounding the ???????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????????????. ?????? ??.??. ??????????'?? ???????????????? ???????? (??????????), ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ?????? ??????????, ?????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ??.??. ???????????? ????????????????????.

After years of litigation, they won a landmark lawsuit in 2022 that secured a multi-million-dollar settlement. Yet, this victory is but a drop in the ocean, considering the millions of women around the world who are still fighting for the right to be fairly compensated for their work.

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Violence against women is perhaps one of the most pervasive human rights violations, and it continues to be a significant issue in every corner of the globe. From domestic abuse to sex trafficking, from honor killings to rape as a weapon of war, the brutality faced by women is staggering.

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Across the globe, in countries like Afghanistan, where the Taliban recently reinstated strict rules for women, the violence has escalated—limiting women’s mobility, education, and access to healthcare, while increasing violence within the home.

Perhaps the most harrowing recent example of violence against women can be found in Ukraine. During Russia's invasion, reports from Human Rights Watch (2023) detailed widespread sexual violence, with both Russian soldiers and Ukrainian soldiers allegedly committing war crimes against women. This tragedy brings into stark relief the fact that women’s bodies continue to be battlegrounds in geopolitical struggles.

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Women’s bodies have long been sites of political control. Reproductive rights remain one of the most contested areas of gender equality, and recent political developments in countries like the U.S. are a testament to the ongoing backlash against women’s autonomy.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court serves as a reminder that reproductive rights are fragile and can be easily rolled back by political forces. This decision doesn’t just affect those seeking abortions—it speaks to a larger societal problem where women's bodily autonomy is still treated as negotiable.

The World Health Organization also highlights the global crisis surrounding maternal health. Despite significant strides in medicine, women in low-income countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, continue to face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates. Lack of access to quality healthcare, along with cultural and logistical barriers, contribute to a maternal mortality crisis that kills women in their prime.

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The struggles of women are not monolithic. The experiences of a middle-class white woman in the West are vastly different from those of an Indigenous woman in Canada, a Dalit woman in India, or a trans woman in Brazil. It is vital to approach women’s rights from an intersectional lens—understanding that race, class, sexual orientation, disability, and other factors intersect to shape unique forms of oppression.

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Grier’s case garnered national attention in the U.S., but it also highlighted the vulnerability of Black women to police violence. Studies show that Black women are three times more likely to be killed by police than white women. Yet, their stories are often erased from mainstream conversations about police violence and brutality.

Additionally, the rise of transphobia has resulted in tragic violence against trans women, especially trans women of color. According to a report by the Human Rights Campaign (2022), there were at least ???? ?????????????????????? ???? ???????????? ??????-???????????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ??.??. ???? ????????—most of whom were Black and Latinx.

Transgender women, particularly Black and Latina women, face a unique set of challenges, including healthcare disparities, discrimination, and violence, which are often overshadowed by mainstream feminist movements.

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On this International Women’s Day, it is vital that we not only celebrate the achievements of women but also critically examine the persistent barriers that hold women back from realizing their full potential.

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As we reflect on the accomplishments of women who have fought for their rights and those who continue to do so, we must acknowledge that true equality will not come until we dismantle the systems that continue to oppress them—be it in the workplace, in the courtroom, in our homes, or on the streets.

The revolution for gender equality must be intersectional, inclusive, and far-reaching. It is not enough to simply celebrate women; we must demand justice, respect, and the recognition of their humanity in all its forms. Until that day arrives, we must continue to speak out, organize, and push for a world that truly honors and empowers women.

While Women's Day is a moment to celebrate, it is also a time to reflect critically on the ongoing struggles of women worldwide. The hardships that women face—ranging from economic inequality and gender-based violence to reproductive rights and systemic oppression—are vast and deeply rooted.

As a society, we must confront these injustices with urgency and compassion, and more importantly, with a commitment to action. True change comes not just through celebration, but through relentless advocacy and a refusal to accept the status quo.

In the words of Audre Lorde, "?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ????????????, ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ???? ??????."