However, I cannot celebrate without acknowledging our
responsibility to look to the future. Progress
can be slow. In fact, it wouldn’t be
until several decades after the first International Women’s Day that the United
Nations celebrated the day themselves—March 8, 1975. Progress and recognition for women can
certainly be gradual, and in the meantime, real women continue to struggle against
inequality.
The UN Women website provides some grim figures on the impact
inequality continues to have on real women’s lives.
137 women are murdered by a family member every day.
72% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.
Less than half of women who are victims of violence reach
out for help.
And that’s just the tip of the sexist iceberg. Even women in positions of power are subject
to sexual harassment or threats.
The UN
Women fact sheet also states, “82% of women parliamentarians reported having
experienced some sort of psychological violence while serving their
terms.”
The website goes on to state 44%
of those threats included “death, rape, assault, or abduction threats.”