International Women’s Day 2020

#IWD2020

#EachforEqual

I chose to fall quiet on IWD this year while I gathered my thoughts on what the day meant for me.

The theme this year was about equality.  How we are all responsible for striving to make ours an equal world.  Gender, race, sexual orientation is not what defines us or makes us.  Or does it?

I saw a lot of posts about strong women.  We are encouraged to fight for equality, to challenge the obstacles that are placed in our way. The race is on for gender equality.

We have come a long way since the first IWD in 1911.  We have a long way to go.

But, I wasn’t feeling particularly strong on IWD 2020.  I didn’t feel like fighting or challenging.

Women are strong.  But we have chinks in our armour.  We are sensitive.  We can be insensitive.  We are kind.  We can be cruel.  We are supportive.  We are critical.  We can be both rational and irrational.  This is what makes us.

Yes, we need to work together for an equal world for us all regardless of gender, race, age or sexual orientation.  We also need to celebrate our differences because these differences make us who we are.  We should appreciate everyone.  Be kind.  Be supportive.

But we don’t have to be strong all of the time.  We can surround ourselves with others who are kind, supportive and appreciative.

Together, we can work towards a more equal and gentler world.