International Women's Day Celebrations 2014

Another round of celebrations for International Women's Day 2014 as many tell their stories, I hear voices on global inequalities, injustice and poverty. Women gather in mass to share issues of interest; to address slavery, human trafficking, prostitution, child marriages, and violence against women. Furthermore, many women and young girls in developing countries wake up to learn they will have no education, adequate health provision, empowered to build a stable environment and become economically active, I remind myself there is much more to do.

Research and statistical data from the World Economic Forum; http://www.weforum.org Unlock Democracy http://unlockdemocracy.org.uk and WomanKind Worldwide,
http://www.womankind.org.uk raise public awareness. The reporting captures evidence, feedback, review of the research and innovation to solutions.

I take time to salute the brave few survivors, change makers, some adapting and demonstrating to toughen up, their case is work hard, and campaign for change. Globally Korea's government tackles the gender gap, the league table comparisons are made, I turn away in embarrassment. Many focus on the "David problem with women", no accountability or individual responsibility, ambassadors and business champions are created and further attempts to stabilise the pain.

As the day fades, how realistically are these women making a difference to the forgotten voices? The debates come with some division and heated discussions on gender disparities, quotas, political shift for women, improve representation, a call to change the laws, support victims, manage expectations, struggles, and resources. The financial impact too is put into the mix,  public awareness is only one aspect, collectively for women to excel, we need to all work cohesively from the government, private sector and society, a day of celebrations is far from the reality.