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With today being International Women’s Day, there will be millions of men around the world thinking – “This is so sexist! Where is my International Man’s Day?”
Heck, I used to be one of those people. I used to think that all the affirmative discrimination was sexist, backward and downright wrong. For my male friends nodding your head in agreement, I challenge you to watch the below video and read on.
It has only been in recent years that my stubborn mindset has changed. I happily admit that I am no expert on this issue, but you don’t need to be an expert to realise that things need to change.
I was truly shocked when I heard some of the horrific facts, facts like:
These saddening facts really hit home when I volunteered for an education project in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Teachers at the school would regularly have to confront parents planning to marry off girls in year 6 – much against the will of these 12/13 year olds who loved going to school.
For me, there are two reasons for changing this deplorable situation. Firstly, it is a matter of justice – women have the right to participate and access the same opportunities as everyone else.
Secondly, empowering women is one of the most effective tools for improving the lives of families, communities and nations all over the world. Such simple step can have far reaching benefits:
With over 600 million girls living in extreme poverty, 600 million lives lie in the balance. International Women’s Day is a chance to ensure that girls are given the chance to contribute positively to society, rather than having their opportunities limited and their potential extinguished.
Investing in girls will put them in control of their own destiny and allow them to become assets for the world. Keeping them in school and providing them with an education will slow population growth, increase their future income, and subsequently the income of their family and future generations.
On the contrary, if we ignore the situation of girls and women around the world, if we miss the point of International Women’s Day, we will lose the opportunity to create a world of healthier, more educated and wealthier communities; we will condemn girls to early marriage, abuse, illiteracy, unemployment and maternal mortality.
As a man, I believe it is important for all of us, men and women, to honour the true spirit of International Women’s Day by taking action to support girls and women around the world. We can do this in many ways, such as:
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