Women’s Day: What’s Commemorated and Why COVID-19 Has Widened the Inequality Gap

For more than a century, people around the world have marked March 8 as a special day for women. Officially recognized by the The United Nations in 1975, International Women’s Day jumpscares for the first time of the activities of labor movements at the beginning of the 20th century in North America and throughout Europe.

According to the UN, this day “refers to ordinary women as architects of history and finds its roots in the age-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men ”.

Its seeds have been planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better wages and the right to vote. The Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day a year later.

The idea to make the day international came from a woman named Clara Zetkin. She suggested the idea in 1910 to a International Conference of Women Workers in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 100 women present, from 17 countries, unanimously accepted his suggestion.

It took place for the first time in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year, technically, we commemorate the 110th International Women’s Day, a date that sums up the workers’ struggle waged for decades by thousands of workers around the world who have proclaimed the recognition of their rights.

The women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a sustainable, peaceful future, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To achieve this goal, the world needs women at all decision-making tables.

With the full and effective participation and leadership of women from all walks of life, progress is being made for all. However, women continue to be under-represented in public life and in decision-making, as evidenced by the recent report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Women are heads of state or government in 22 countries, and only 24.9% of national parliamentarians are women. At the current rate of progress, gender equality among heads of government will take another 130 years.

“International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress, call for change and celebrate acts of courage and determination ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their country and their community, ”read a statement on the website of the The United Nations.

The world has made unprecedented progress, but no country has achieved gender equality. 50 years ago we landed on the moon; In the past decade, we have discovered new human ancestors and photographed a black hole for the first time. During, Legal restrictions have prevented 2.7 billion women from accessing the same employment opportunities as men. In 2019, less than 25% of parliamentarians were women. And yet, one in three women suffers from gender-based violence.

For an equal future in the COVID-19 world

Women are at the forefront of the COVID-19 crisis, as health workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and among the most exemplary and effective national leaders in the fight against the pandemic; however, overall they earn 11% less than their male counterparts.

The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens borne by women. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, according to the United Nations, “Women leaders: for an equal future in the world of COVID-19”, celebrates the tremendous efforts of women and girls around the world to shape a more equitable future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

When women are in charge, there are positive results. Several of the most effective and exemplary responses in the face of the pandemic, they were led by women. And it is women, especially young women, who are organizing diverse and inclusive movements online and in the streets for social justice and equality or the fight against climate change in all regions of the world. However, women under 30 represent less than 1% of parliamentarians worldwide.

The pandemic particularly revolutionized homes where workers had to take care of their professional tasks, along with children and housework. As part of International Women’s Day, Adecco Argentina, subsidiary of the world leader in global human resources consulting, an analysis of the current situation of women in the labor market. To do this, he used various studies conducted before and during the pandemic.

Some of the results compiled by the company in recent months have revealed that for more than 70% of those consulted, there is still a significant pay gap (for the same position) between men and women. When it comes to the quest for equality at work, more than half believe that the government should work together to achieve it. In contrast, more than 70% of those polled said companies do not have containment protocols for those suffering from domestic violence.

In relationship with management positions, 55% noticed that there are inequalities in them in favor of men. In the same line, 70% said that women have more difficulty accessing a managerial position Those men. This is where the “glass roof”, an invisible obstacle (not enshrined in laws or codes) which prevents women from advancing to occupy the highest hierarchical positions and the result of which is the low presence of women in the highest positions of the professional pyramid.

Some data

Almost the 60% women in the world They work in the informal economy, earn less, save less and are at greater risk of poverty.

The women earn 23% less than men in the world.

The women occupy only 24% of parliamentary seats In the whole world.

One in three women he suffered physical or sexual violence Yes 200 million girl-women They suffered genital mutilation.

KEEP READING: