International holiday inspires many
Worldwide feminists speak out
The holiday was celebrated worldwide, although considered controversial in some areas where women are oppressed. Pictured here is a woman shielding her face while watching the International Women’s Day celebration in the Governor’s compound in Ghazni City, Afghanistan. Some women in such countries took it as a special occasion to remove their Burkas, but others chose to uphold their religious traditions despite relaxed restrictions. Photo courtesy of MCT Photo Campus.
March 14, 2015
Women around the world were celebrated and recognized on Sun. March 8 as part of International Women’s Day. Everywhere, people spoke out to show their appreciation for the women in their lives.
“We are at our best when we cheer each other on and build each other up. Happy International Women’s Day,” tweeted singer Taylor Swift.
Another role the holiday took was one on which feminists could advocate for further equality for women, with the hashtag “NotThere” spreading on twitter, showing that in society, women’s rights have not reached equal levels yet.
Another hashtag that continues to be popular is “HeForShe”, a concept started by actress and activist Emma Watson in her speech to the U.N. in May which encourages male support for feminism.
Watson furthered this campaign with a live interview on the holiday. In it, she addressed many topics including the necessity to advocate for women in oppressed countries as well as her own experience with oppression after speaking out as a feminist.
“Women are such an untapped part of this world, we have so much to offer yet so much potential is wasted,” Watson said.
This holiday added to the impact Patricia Arquette made in her speech regarding feminism at the Oscars after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in her film “Boyhood”.
“It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America,” Arquette said.
For more information on how to get involved, visit http://www.internationalwomensday.com/.
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