International Women’s Day celebrates the cultural, economic, political and social achievements of women. It is also a day to spotlight gender inequality and the barriers to women’s full participation in decision-making and public life. This year’s theme is “Choose to Challenge” and sadly, there remains a great deal of that to be done.
The global pandemic has exposed both the opportunity and challenge of gender equality. Women account for three quarters of health sector workers, but represent just 30 per cent of those in decision-making or leadership roles. A recent UN report found that while women were under-represented in decision-making on Covid-19, in several countries with women leaders, the response to the pandemic had been “particularly effective”. Yet, of 87 countries surveyed, just 3.5 per cent had Covid-19 task forces which had gender parity.
On Saturday, Germany’s Chancellor Merkel flagged the risk that gender equality could suffer reversals as a result of Covid-19. Last week’s European Commission report on gender equality found the pandemic had “exacerbated existing inequalities between women and men in almost all areas of life”. That this has happened at a time when gender has never been higher on the EU’s agenda is deeply unsettling.
Change is difficult
Most of us will say we want gender equality. We are quick – maybe too quick – to appreciate change is difficult and progress, slow. We should consider whether there is more we can do explicitly and energetically to pursue this agenda. We can challenge the status quo in our own environments: in our families; in our workplaces; in our social groups; in our communities, and in political, cultural, social and economic institutions.
We can push states and organisations to create inclusive, enabling environments in which women thrive by adopting more specific and ambitious targets, supported by political will, appropriate financing and institutional reform. We look forward to the achievement of gender equality and a time when this day becomes simply a celebration of women’s accomplishments.