Dating back to 1909, it is a day to appreciate, respect, love, and celebrate the women of the world. In some countries March 8th is a mixture of Valentine's/Mother's Day; where men give flowers, sweet notes, and extra love to the women around them. Though most people observe the day through a highly charged awareness raising, political, and social change lens. Because no matter how far we've come- women are still not treated as equals in our world.
This 2010 many are fighting to spotlight the issue of violence against the world's displaced women. A displaced person is one who has been forced to move from their native home due to discrimination, violence, persecution, etc. Women and children make up the majority of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and Refugee Camp populations. In these camps women are often the victims of extreme violence which includes but isn't limited to: rape, genital mutilation, slavery, and murder. Gender based violence is one of the world's leading issues today.
I realize that sometimes these issues feel untouchable. One of the easiest/best ways of making changes in the world is to let congress know how you feel. THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: DO SOMETHING. Women Thrive Worldwide did most of the work for you even: click here & tell your congressperson you want to see the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) passed.
Women are our future. It starts with empowering and educating the world's women (equally important is educating yourself about world issues). Greg Mortenson the author of Three Cups of Tea says it best, "You can hand out condoms, drop bombs, build roads, or put in electricity, but until the girls are educated a society won't change."
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