By Samira Mohamed
Women provide joy, strength, and endless beauty to our days, creating a vibrant tapestry of existence. As the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day today, we celebrate the amazing women in our lives: mothers who care for their children (A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take), daughters who are role models, wives who provide support, aunts who are charming, and friends who support. They are the source of our most treasured memories, the unsung heroes of our victories on a daily basis, and the epitome of courage, love, and hope. Together, they create a story of empowerment and harmony that enriches our everyday lives with their wisdom, humour, and enduring friendship making our everyday ordinary lives extraordinary.
As we gather to commemorate this wonderful day, we go beyond the happy celebrations to recognize the incredible power, achievements, and resiliency of women globally. This day is a stark reminder of the breakthroughs made for women’s rights such as voting and working which was unheard of in the last 50 years as well as the enormous obstacles that millions of those still face, especially in countries where severe acts of violence, insecurity and genocide have occurred.
Women have been trailblazers all over the globe, bursting through limitless possibilities, shattering glass ceilings, and causing seismic shifts. They have made incalculable contributions to science, politics such as female presidents, Samia Suluhu being the first female president of Tanzania in East Africa, businesses where we have female CEOs and sports with the likes of Serena Williams dominating, these efforts continues to make a difference in our societies. As we honor Women’s Day, it is essential to consider both the phenomenal achievements and the horrendous instances that so many have to endure.
Let’s embrace this tremendous day of esteem and give tribute to the magnificent mosaic of female accomplishments that inspires and empowers people everywhere. Women have shaped history, from the scientific achievements of Marie Curie to the poetic brilliance of Maya Angelou, leaving an imprint on the course of time.
Throughout the improvements, it is critical to be aware of the harsh reality that many women face on a daily basis. In many regions of the world, systematic discrimination, gender-based violence, and genocide still occur. Women’s bravery in the face of hardship knows no geographical bounds. They surpass adversities with a resolute poise that is deserving of a standing ovation in places like Palestine and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the traumas of genocide have tarnished the narrative. Their stories are not tales of victimhood but instead are narratives of audacious triumphs against all odds.
International Women’s Day offers a chance for action and introspection in addition to celebration. It is a call to raise the voices of those who are frequently marginalized, to stand up for the rights of all women, and to strive towards eradicating gender-based violence and making equality a reality rather than just an ideal.
Let’s show our support for those who are suffering from the atrocities of genocide while we celebrate the accomplishments of women today. A world where every woman is free to follow her ambitions, where her strength is cherished, and where her contributions are acknowledged and valued even in the most challenging of circumstances is the essence of what International Women’s Day is all about.
So, here’s to the women who turn every challenge into a triumph, who light up the world with their radiant resilience. Happy International Women’s Day – may the celebration of women’s brilliance be as boundless as the stars in the night sky!