Join us in fighting for women’s rights. There’s still much to do-- Annie Lennox
Join us in fighting for women’s rights. There’s still much to do
Annie Lennox
As International Women’s Day nears, we have to recognise that while attitudes are changing, women and girls still face appalling inequality and injustice around the world
A Bengali tea labourer ‘Women work two-thirds of all working hours and produce half of the world’s food, but earn only 10% of global income.’ A Bengali tea labourer. Photograph: Alamy
So you think there’s no need in 2015 for feminism or to campaign for equal rights for women? Then please take a moment to consider the following facts:
• Women account for two-thirds of all working hours and produce half the world’s food, but earn only 10% of global income and own 1% of property.
•Though women make up half of the global population, they represent 70% of the world’s poor
• Though women make up half the global population, they represent 70% of the world’s poor.
• Women and girls aged 15–44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than they are war, cancer, malaria and traffic accidents.
• At least one in three women around the world have been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in their lifetime.
• Between 1.5 million and 3 million girls and women die each year because of gender-based violence.
• Between 700,000 and 4 million girls and women are sold into prostitution each year.
• 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries, with women dying of pregnancy-related causes at the rate of one a minute.
• Women account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s 780 million people who cannot read.
• 41 million girls worldwide are still denied a primary education.
• Globally, only one in five parliamentarians are women.
This appalling list of gender inequity and injustice could go on, but by now you might have read enough to be convinced that there are several compelling reasons to acknowledge and support the empowerment of women and girls.
‘I am indebted to the sacrifice and dedication of the Suffragette movement.’ Emmeline Pankhurst is arrested in 1914. Photograph: Heritage Images/Getty Images
Imagine a world where every female can actually realise her right to live free from violence, to go to school, to participate in decisions and to earn equal pay for equal work. For me, these are the essential goals of feminism; and ultimately the reason why men and boys must come on board to achieve this vision with us.
From a personal perspective, I am keenly aware of the benefits I’ve received from the generations of women before me. We have all inherited the freedom, privileges and rights our great-grandmothers could only have dreamed of and I am indebted to the sacrifice and dedication of the suffragette movement, whose tireless work ensured that future generations of women could vote and have better lives and opportunities.
. . . . .
Katie Price, right, with Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates at the 2014 Women of the World festival. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/06/annie-lennox-womens-rights-women-girls-inequality-injustice
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