It’s International Women’s Day, and the theme for this year is #EachforEqual. THE IWD website has this to say about this year’s theme:
“An equal world is an enabled world.
Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.
Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.
Let’s all be #EachforEqual.”
I think it’s worth pointing out that being equal is not about being the same. There is tremendous diversity in our world, and equality is about recognizing that all individuals have value, regardless of their gender identity or other identities. Equality is not about doing the opposite of stereotypes, it’s about rejecting stereotypes as valid constructs in the first place.
Equality is about equal opportunities. What we choose to do with those opportunities is up to each of us individually, but the opportunities available to us should not depend on our gender.
There are far too many stereotypes in the world. It’s time to be #EachforEqual.
You can find more on social issues on the Social Justice & Equality page.