Monday, March 7th is International Women’s Day, celebrating the progress of women. Over the last year we have seen continued growth in our world towards greater equality, justice, and meaning for the lives of female identified people. Women and girls are courageously claiming their space and becoming a visible presence in the public domain. Through their social, economic, cultural and political achievements they are boldly demonstrating a collective response to ending poverty and violence. Award winning journalist Sally Armstrong in her book, Ascent of Women, compellingly tells their empowering stories of making change happen.
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality. We do indeed need to step up as a global community to strengthen commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights. We must re-commit daily to end violence against women in all its forms.
Even in adversity there is cause to celebrate. We are made aware of this in Canada, as we witness the struggles of Indigenous Women throughout their lands. In their daily lives, these women encounter multiple layers of violence that continue to threaten their existence, well-being and spirituality. While facing such dramatic challenges they continue to emphasize the importance of action, community and care of Earth as a process of healing.
Indigenous women’s leadership is informing us that gender equality is a compass to how we share our world. They are tackling issues of identity, culture, empowerment and opportunity through land defense, risking their liberties to stop the environmental impact of pipeline construction and shale gas mining. Raising their voices, they are demanding both human justice and equality and eco-justice for the land. They are reminding us that the struggles of women are indivisible from the destruction of planetary eco-systems. To reverence one is to love the other. They are sharing the wisdom that their healing – the healing of the global community- is intrinsically connected to the healing of our wounded Earth.
On this International Women’s Day, together let us set our intention to end violence against women. Let us raise up the many courageous women who are beacons of hope to us all and who reflect so clearly our interconnectedness with all creation.
Guest blogger, Janet Speth, Sister of St. Joseph of Toronto
Find out more about the new commitments under the UN Women’s Step It Up Initiative
http://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/step-it-up