The world today marks International Women’s day amid an unprecedented international ‘me too’ movement to curb sexual harassment or assault of women in areas ranging from the highest places to public transport and also for gender justice in salaries paid to chief executive officers and other females.
Among those on the sexual harassment or assault list are highly placed personalities including United States President Donald Trump and Hollywood king maker Harvey Weinstein who has been accused of sexual assault by a shocking number of more than 80 actresses.
The United Nations in a statement says International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the histories of their countries and communities.
It is also an opportunity to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
In the 2030 agenda some key targets are to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. The aim is to ensure that girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. It also calls for the end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere, eliminate violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation and eliminate harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
This year, International Women’s Day comes in the afterglow of unprecedented global movement for women’s rights, equality and justice. Sexual harassment, violence and discrimination against women have captured headlines and public discourse, propelled by a rising determination for change, the UN says.
International Women’s Day 2018 is an opportunity to transform this momentum into action, to empower women in all settings, rural and urban, and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential.
Echoing the priority theme of the upcoming 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, International Women’s Day will also draw attention to the rights and activism of rural women, who make up more than a quarter of the world population and majority of the 43 per cent of women in the global agricultural labour force. They till the lands and plant seeds to feed nations, ensure food security for their communities and build climate resilience.
Yet, on almost every measure of development, because of deep seated gender inequalities and discrimination, rural women fare worse than rural men or urban women. For instance, less than 20 per cent of landholders worldwide are women, and while the global pay gap between men and women stands at 23 per cent, in rural areas, it can be as high as 40 per cent. They lack infrastructure and services, decent work and social protection, and are left more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rural women and their organizations represent an enormous potential, and they are on the move to claim their rights and improve their livelihoods and wellbeing.
They are using innovative agricultural methods, setting up successful businesses and acquiring new skills, pursuing their legal entitlements and running for office, the UN says in a message underlining the realities and the positive dimension of what women and girls are trying to achieve.
The international situation is much the same as what we see in Sri Lanka. A major step to give a equal place to women and girls in decision making was taken at the February 10 local council elections. After long delays laws were passed for a women’s representation of 25 percent at municipal, urban councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas. But after the elections, the independent Elections Commission and the Ministry of Local Government have acknowledged serious problems regarding women’s representation and therefore the appointment of local councils has been put off from March 10 to March 20.
It is not a surprise that practical problems have arisen if the bigger step to ensure equal voting rights for women after Sri Lanka achieve this goal in 1939 even before our colonial masters Britain.
We urge that despite the practical problems this process should be continued with suitable amendments so that women could play their role in political decision making. Because without women’s representation male dominated decision making is often flawed. It is sad that even in major religions there is gender inequality if not male chauvinism. Perhaps the change should start there.
