IWD2015 – Photo credit: http://www.unaavictoria.org.au

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today, we commemorate International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is rightfully called “Make it Happen“, as a reminder the biggest issues for women around the world are far from being solved, and this despite the big feminist calls of this past year. From #yestoallwomen, to #whyistayed, the social media campaigns raising awareness to women’s issues were abounding. Yet, awareness may just not ben enough…

While we have much to celebrate this year, from women’s representation in Washington topping one fifth of the 114th Congress, to the increase of women launching businesses every day, to the strong links between gender diversity and corporate performance, this Gallup survey finds nearly 2 billion women worldwide are still struggling and suffering.

In order to bring sustainable change to this, we must affect not only corporations, businesses and states, but most importantly legislations that effect real change. We must purposely seek to make a difference, not just at home, but beyond the limits of our own perceived influence. This year, could you commit to making a donation to a charity for women? Could you mentor another female looking to succeed in your own organization or beyond? Could you push for government change from where you are? Could you tell your son, husband, father, or boss, about what it means to be a woman in this world, and how they can help make it a better place for their wives, daughters, nieces, mothers too?

Yes, women “make it happen” every single day, most of us to barely survive and make it to the next. Yet, there is still much work to be done. Let’s continue to make it happen, not just for ourselves, but for all of us, our daughters, nieces, cousins, mothers, aunts, and for all the women around the world.

Enjoy this short video from UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo on International Women’s Day 2015:

Happy Women’s Day, Ladies (and Gentlemen)!