"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." - Michelle Obama
However, many barriers can be put in front of women to hinder their ability to be what they want to be and accomplish what they want to achieve. Some of those barriers can be systematic throughout society and have a bias of what is "appropriate for a female". This year's theme for International Women's Day (IWD 2022) is break the bias.
"Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias" - InternationalWomensDay.com
Females Are Weak?
One bias is that females are the weaker sex, that they are not strong enough, both physically and mentally.
One stereotype of that is that females aren't suited/capable of serving on the front lines in military confrontations. Don't bother telling that to the Ukrainian females that are helping to defend their country against the Russian army. To the military couple who got married on the front line, to the young women taking up arms in Kyiv who will fight alongside the men.
So females don't have the mental strength? Don't bother telling that to the Ukrainian woman who offered seeds to Russian soldiers so "sunflowers grow when they die". Or the countless other females that are standing up for their country and serving in other but equally important ways.
There is still a long way to go...
On this day it is hard for me to imagine a gender equal world. It would be remiss of me to not even mention world events and how they are this very day impacting around 22.5 million females in Ukraine.
When one man has decided he has the power to take and destroy what doesn't belong to him, with total disregard for innocent life, to not speak out is wrong.
"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men..." - Lord Acton
Vladimir Putin calls it a "special military operation". But let's call it for what it is - an invasion, a war!
This International Women's Day, think of the brave, strong and determined women in Ukraine.
Here's to strong women.
May we hear their stories, know them and support them.
(Photo Credit: Farah)
Sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine and have been used as a symbol of peace. May the Ukrainian people know peace soon.