To be fair, I cannot claim to have been hindered by being a woman. When I was young, my father wouldn't buy me a basketball because "basketball is for boys". My mother wouldn't allow me to play certain instruments in the school band "because they are not ladylike". I ended up becoming a majorette. A very girly thing. Fortunately, I liked twirling a baton.....
In my lifetime, I have seen the word, "feminist" go from being something to be proud of to being a word that people are afraid of being associated with. I remember being told that some jobs were "not for women".
When my 3 girls were born, from the very start, I told them they could do anything. Being a woman was a plus and they were lucky to be born women. They believed me and I have three very strong, intelligent and articulate grown daughters who are proud of who they are. And of whom I am so very proud.
Some key targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda:
- By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
- By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
- Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
I always believed that in my lifetime things would get better, and in some circumstances, I suppose they have. But there is still so far to go.
So today we celebrate Women. Women of all kinds and shapes and colors and abilities.
Happy Women's Day
