6th March 2020 | 3 min read
International Women’s Day began in 1911 designed to both celebrate the achievements of women while highlighting the need for further change. Recent years have seen progress towards equality but there is still work to be done.
The World Economic Forum’s 2020 report found that we are nearly 100 years away from gender parity if current trends continue.
Only six countries in the world (Belgium, Denmark, France, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden) currently give women equal legal work rights as men.
In the UK in 2019, women effectively worked “for free” from 14th November until the end of the year because of the gender pay gap.
It is estimated that there are 650 million women and girls in the world today who were married before age 18.
Adult women account for nearly half of all human trafficking victims detected globally. Women and girls together account for 72%, with girls representing more than three out of every four child trafficking victims.
This year’s theme is #EachForEqual, promoting the concept that gender inequality isn’t a women’s issue, but an economic one. LABS is committed to providing spaces for people to thrive, we champion any movement that supports parity and balance.
This year IWD falls on 8th of March and we’ve put together a selection of influential and education books and podcasts for some Sunday self-development.
Claire Rothstein’s ‘Be a Lady They Said’ film was created for the #MeToo generation and is a hard-hitting look at the impossible standards forced on women. Within six days of being posted, the video amassed a massive 20 million views and has been shared around the world.
Written by Caroline Criado Perez, Invisible Women demonstrates how, in a world built largely for and by men, half of the population are being systematically ignored.
Through a selection of case studies from government policy and medical research to technology and workplaces,Invisible Women reveals the impact the gender data gap has on the female population.
Gina Martin was the victim of a crime which legally did not exist when a man took a photo up her skirt. Tired of accepting sexual harassment, she fought her case and eighteen months later changed the law and upskirting was made a criminal offence.
Her book has been published to inspire others to fight their corner and includes practical advice and support as well as an insight into Martin’s own experiences.
Written by two of the world’s leading male advocates of gender equality Michael Kaufman and Michael Kimmel, this book explores the crucial need to educate men about feminism in order for them to fully understand the impact on their lives.
With nearly a hundred different entries covering topics from Autonomy to Zero Tolerance, each topic celebrates the ongoing gains which come from improving the lives of women and girls.
Probably the most famous feminist podcast in the world hosted by comedian Deborah Frances-White. Each week she is joined by special guests to discuss a variety of topics while also covering all the insecurities, fears and hypocrisies women face on a daily basis.
Each episode begins with the statement “I’m a feminist, but…” putting a light-hearted and satirical spin on hard-hitting subject matter.
Originally established in 1946 as a radio show, Women’s Hour has evolved into an informative and hugely popular podcast covering topics from a female perspective.
More radical than it’s image may suggest, it continues to tackle a diverse range of topics, often breaking new ground on issues such as childcare, equality at work, the menopause, homosexuality and divorce.
P.S. International Men’s Day take place on 19th November 2020 and seeks to address issues surrounding mental health. In the UK, the focus of International Men’s Day is to raise the awareness around; male suicide, domestic violence, single fathers and the portrayal of men in the media.
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