What do we need International Women's Day for anyway? That's a question I hear quite often, and truthfully, sometimes wrestle with myself. Then I find myself at some event where the panel is comprised entirely of men and remember all those times when I was the only woman in the room, the only female director in a room full of men. And so, unfortunately, the question is self-evident.
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The understanding there is a need for proponents and opponents of this day to work together in a partnership that tackles the important challenges we continue to face as a society and as a state leads me to understand that until the situation is rectified, we cannot relinquish this important day. Until we see diversity in the centers of influence, we cannot relinquish International Women's Day. Until we rein in the violence directed at women, in all its various forms, we cannot relinquish International Women's Day. The reality may be changing for the good, yet, disturbingly, various forums remain where no appropriate female representation can be found. This is disturbing because when the people at the table are diverse, and women are partners in the decision-making process, better decisions are made for both women and men. Therefore, I believe that one of our greatest challenges as a society, and mine as the president's wife, is to do everything in our power to promote women to key positions and act toward the full cooperation of women in accordance with their skills, education, and experience in all the corridors of power.
Yet even when glass ceilings are shattered, there are women who have the ground crumble beneath their feet and do not feel safe in their world. The deepest and most significant change will come only through an uncompromising, all-out war on violence toward women. This war must target physical violence first and foremost, but also emotional, financial, and verbal violence. We have all heard those who allow themselves to speak down to women in a way they would never dare to speak toward or next to men. The language used by public figures, influential people, and everyday people must change. The burden of bringing about change rests on us, the women at the centers of influence who must act for our sisters' benefit. Indeed, as the late social activist, Dr. Vicki Shiran argued: "The feminist consciousness is not easy for women." The challenge is also at our doorstep. We are the engine that must pull the train forward on the path to gender equality.
With all my heart, I hope that if we focus on all these issues and act together and effect change, who knows? Maybe then, we really won't need this day.
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