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Half the Population, How Many Rights?
On International Women's Day, we celebrate equal rights and equal opportunities.
"Equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all." That is the 2010 theme for Monday's International Women's Day. First celebrated in 1911, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on the wide-ranging achievements of women throughout the world and recommit to supporting women's equal rights.
This year, International Women's Day comes with recent reports that, in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, some relief agencies are distributing supplies only to women, in hopes that aid will be more effectively and fairly distributed to those in need. Especially in the wake of disaster, inequalities are deepened and often women are excluded by traditional relief strategies — even as they contend with greater safety risks(as do elderly, sick, and youth populations).
In Haiti, UUSC is working with the Regional Coordination of Southeast Organizations (CROSE) and the Platform of Community Organizations of the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan Zone (COZPAM), two grassroots coalitions organizing camps for internally displaced persons. CROSE and COZPAM are not only using UUSC funds to purchase food and other essential items especially for women and children, they're also making sure that women are included in camp coordinating committees, which help ensure relief with dignity by managing food distribution, water access, and more.
UUSC partners with organizations throughout the world that are actively working with women to achieve and exercise equal rights. In Pakistan and India, Barakat Inc., a Cambridge-based UUSC partner, is operating schools to help ensure that women and girls have access to quality education. And in Kenya, UUSC economic justice partners Rock Women Group and the Kenya National Alliance of Street Vendors and Informal Traders (KENASVIT) are helping women in the informal economy to achieve respect and financial security.
International Women's Day is a day to celebrate, honor, and empower women. Every day is a day to celebrate, honor, and empower women. How are you going to celebrate?
