Monday 01-03-2021 - 06:28

Women’s History Month is a celebrated annually and highlights the contributions of women to events in history and society.  This year, as Women’s Officer, I wanted to expand the week-long celebration of achievements and defining moments for women to the whole month.

 

In terms of key dates, celebrations will be centred around International Women’s Day on the 8^th March, and to kick off our EHSU Women’s Week celebrations, this week’s blog will be focusing on gender bias, gender equality, and this year’s international women’s day theme, #Choosetochallenge.

 

 

Why We Need to Talk About Gender Equality and Inequality

 

Gender inequality is the social process by which men and women are not treated as equals.

 

Throughout society, women have been treated as inferior and inequal to men. However, over the last decade, progress has been made: more girls are going to school; fewer girls are forced into early marriage; more women are serving in parliament and positions of leadership, and laws are being reformed to advance gender equality.

 

International Women’s Day began in 1911 and aims to celebrate women’s achievements. But even in 2021, the celebration still seeks to highlight the work that needs to be done to achieve gender parity.

 

Within the last year progress has been made world-wide to help achieve a gender-equal world.

 

Of particular significance is the roadmap created by Leaders of the United Nations to advance gender equality. Over 100 countries have committed to actions that will accelerate the realisation of gender equality and empower girls and women everywhere. These actions include eliminating discriminatory laws, social norms and gender stereotypes, matching equality in financing, strengthening institutions to promote gender equality, and harnessing technology to support and improve women’s and girls’ lives.

 

The main focus is to remove barriers that prevent women from enjoying their human rights across social, economic, political and environmental domains. Gender inequality still affects a significant majority of women and this year we need to take a stand to challenge inequality.

 

 

Choose to Challenge

 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #Choosetochallenge, encompasses the motto ‘a challenged world is an alert world,’ raising awareness against bias and encouraging everyone to take action against inequality.

 

Here are a few useful ways that you can choose to challenge gender inequality:

1. Challenge gender stereotypes and bias
2. Maintain a gender equal mindset
3. Call out gendered actions or assumptions
4. Forge positive visibility on women
5. Celebrate women’s achievements

To get involved and show your support towards the #ChooseToChallege theme you can raise your hand and send in your selfie to sucomms@edgehill.ac.uk and join me in raising awareness against gender bias.

 

 

 

Ruby Penaluna is the Edge Hill Students’ Union Women’s Officer for 20/21. She will be hosting a Women’s Week roundtable discussion, which will be published via the Students’ Union’s social media channels on Friday 05 March.