International Women’s Day and the illusion of progress

With International Women’s Day (IWD) happening this week, I cannot help but reflect on the tangled web of promises and realities we, as women, find ourselves in. Since late last year, I have been questioning many of our national and international systems, laws and human rights, and while it is not typically what I focus on in this blog, I also cannot stay quiet.

If you expect a blog post that paints a rosy picture of how far we have come as women, let me say: this is not it. The title might have given it away but consider this a fair warning. It is not all gloom and doom, and as always, I do offer some thoughts on some actions I will be taking.

How International Women’s Day falls short

For as long as I can remember, IWD has been touted as a symbol of empowerment, a day to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for equality. And I will admit, I bought into it – hook, line, and sinker. But over the years and most recently, I have felt like we have been sold a lie. Or maybe we bought into it willingly; I am not sure which. Either way, it feels like a con.

Despite all the talk of progress and empowerment, the harsh reality is that systemic inequalities and injustices against women are still deeply entrenched in society. I cannot help but wonder: if we truly valued women, would we not have seen more meaningful policies and actions by now? Would the injustices perpetuated against women in our society weekly, monthly and yearly be more than addressed by now? The progress feels too slow, too superficial, and frankly, insulting to women past, present, and future.

International Women’s Day: A distraction from the real issues

We have been hoodwinked. IWD has been packaged and sold as a day of celebration and empowerment, and who would not want that, right? But in reality, it feels more like a distraction from the pervasive inequalities that women continue to face. We have been led to believe that our struggles, challenges, and, tragically, for some of our sisters, death, are being addressed and that progress is being made. The evidence suggests otherwise. From the latest pay gap report by Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) to the 58 women killed in 2023 to the disproportionate impact of the housing crisis and cost of living on women, it is fair to say, we are not moving in the right direction. 

And the illusion of progress persists. Sure, we might see a few wins here and there – like parental pay leave and transparency on pay gaps (seriously, why did that take so long?). But the truth is, little in the last 5-10 years or so has changed for women in terms of substantive rights and opportunities. In a 2023 Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Status of Women report card (makes for sobering reading overall), Australia ranked 43rd for gender equality internationally which is based on World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2022. 43rd. Let that sink in.

what do we do?

So perhaps I am not too out of line to think that IWD has become little more than a token gesture, a hollow celebration that does little to address the root causes of gender inequality. So, what to do? Do we just walk away or sit back and watch? Do we exit stage left and leave it to the younger generation to fight the fight? Do we keep going to the IWD events and hope for a better year ahead? Well, as the saying goes, hope is not a strategy.

And the answer is a resounding no. No, we cannot afford to sit back and accept the status quo. With respect to the women before us, who did all they could to get us here, we need to continue moving forward, and we need to shake things up, challenge the narrative, and demand real change. So, here are a few areas where I am throwing my efforts – and where you might consider throwing yours too:

Advocate for policy reform

Let us stop settling for one day of celebration (or even a month!) and start demanding concrete policy reforms that address the root causes of gender inequality. Not just leaving it to organisations and associations who do this every day, but us, the citizens of Australia. This might mean bombarding our elected politicians and members of parliament with letters, emails, and phone calls to let them know how unhappy we are with the lack of progress and what we want to see from them moving forward. It is not about party politics or tokenism to win an election but real, genuine change for our society. And we will hold our politicians accountable for delivery. They need to know we will use our power to hold them accountable.

Support grassroots movements

If you cannot or do not want to advocate at the individual level, then support those at the grassroots level who advocate for change. Get behind individuals, organisations and movements working to empower women and challenge systemic injustices. Whether volunteering your time, donating money, or raising awareness, grassroots activism can make a real difference. Find one you like the look of and ask them what they need. And then help out as best as you can.  YWCA springs to mind in Canberra, and there are many worthy organisations in many industries and in communities who do good work. Find one and support it.

Economic impact

One of the most powerful ways to drive change is by voting with our wallets. So, let us consciously support businesses with female leadership and who have supportive policies for women and avoid those that perpetuate gender pay gaps or exploit women. It is time to show businesses that if they want our support (i.e. our labour, our attention and our money), they must prioritise gender equality. And not just with lip service, but with absolute transparency and meaningful actions and workplace policies. I am starting with the pay gap report from last week and working through the list. Women’s Agenda had a great article highlighting the companies not living their brand or mission promise.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. International Women’s Day is just one day in the 365 days of the year. For me, and I suspect for the majority of the women who make up 51% of the population, it has always been about the other 364 days of the year and what happens to women daily as we traverse workplaces, homes, and society. We must continue to push for meaningful change through concrete actions so that years from now, future generations do not look back at us and wonder why it took 180 years for a woman to be paid the same as a man. 

And as always, if you invest in yourself and the women around you, the rewards will be unfathomable.

Until next time.