Today is International Women's Day. Established in 1911, it is nevertheless only something I heard about a few short years ago. The day is meant to recognise the achievements of our sisters in their fight for equality over the last hundred years or so, and also to raise awareness for the changes that still need to be made to ensure true gender equality worldwide. Two things struck me about the day:
Firstly, the number of women who still suffer as a result of their gender, both in developing countries, and, if the figures on UK domestic violence are correct, right here in Britain, presumably among ordinary women that we know. As someone who has never been discriminated against on the grounds of gender, I've never really related to feminists. To my mind, they either belong with the Birkenstock-clad bra-burners of the 60's or the militant throngs of the early 1900's, attacking Winston Churchill and policemen, but then giving it all up to terrorise Germans instead in 1914. I admired Mrs Pankhurst, but only because she was a fellow Salfordian, kicking ass, and even when we're all grown up, we still have that irrepressible desire from the playground to shout 'Fight, fight!' when it all kicks off. Perhaps that view of mine needs to change, and feminism is not done. Now how to inspire teenage girls to take on the mantle?
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Secondly, Women's Day is a major thing in...Russia? So they do respect Human Rights, not of homosexuals of course, or of people in old satellite states who disagree with the Russian Government, but of women yes. Or do they? From what I can see, much like the Communist Russia of old, the day is a smokescreen, a nod of the head, a PR stunt, designed to make women feel a little bit special on the 8th March. Are the past achievements of women celebrated, and the current inequalities tackled side by side with male compatriots. Er, no. Women are bought flowers and chocolates for being women. It almost brings to mind the Red Army being paid in mind numbing vodka. Well done Putin.
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