The ManicaPost
EVERY March, the world celebrates the contributions of history-making women to our society, with March 8 set aside for International Women’s Day, which was first recognised by the United Nations in 1975.
However, considering the evolvement of Women’s Month over the last century and the involvement of various people in shaping it, no government, corporation, organisation or media entity can claim sole credit for the noble initiative.
Rather, Women’s Month is a global initiative that recognises women’s accomplishments in the cultivation of our culture, and their contributions in our homes and societies; as well their economic and political achievements worldwide.
Women’s Month is therefore a call to action for gender parity, a chance to reflect on the trailblazing women who lead the way to change.
This is the only month-long celebration that is recognised globally. And just in case someone is wondering why the world needs a whole month to celebrate women, it is for the simple reason that the accomplishments of women certainly wouldn’t fit in a day or week — they are just too many.
Sadly, most of these countless amazing stories are not being told as most women prefer to work on the peripheries, far away from the limelight. March offers the world the opportunity to tell those stories.
Through the narratives, future generations will inherit an accurate account of the contributions of women throughout history.
By highlighting women who have made a difference, it opens up the world of possibilities to young girls.
For instance, due to the deliberate effort to highlight women’s achievements, young women are now pursuing careers that were once considered a preserve for men.
However, new research shows that most women are still shying away from certain professions in fields that men are stereotypically believed to perform more strongly in, such as science, math, and technology.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day was ‘Choose to challenge’ and the theme highlights that change comes from challenge. The world therefore should not be satisfied with the status quo.
Rather, investments should be constantly channelled towards women’s empowerment.
But gender parity in Government, workplaces, health care, sports and media coverage can only be achieved through individual change. Change starts at the individual level before spreading to the community and the world at large.
Individuals should therefore challenge biases and question stereotypes.
To achieve gender parity, people – both men and women — must voice their opinions and advocate for it.
However, celebrations for the Year 2021 have an extra significance as many of the centennial celebrations to mark women’s achievements were curtailed or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In past years, Women’s Month was celebrated with festivals, conferences and outreach programmes across the world. But with the Covid-19 pandemic, most events are being held virtually, mostly through the mainstream media, webinars and social media.
In the same vein, Zimpapers, the country’s leading media company, has been promoting gender equality and the advancement of the girl child through its various channels.
The group’s newspaper division, which includes The Manica Post, has been celebrating women for their contribution to national development, with a special focus on those occupying positions that were once a preserve for men.
On International Women’s Day which fell on Monday this week, the group’s radio division featured female voices on air as a way of allowing women to showcase their excellence.
In a first of its kind, Diamond FM, Zimpapers’ Manicaland radio station, ran for the entire day with an all-female line-up with emphasis placed on honouring women who have made contributions in the nation and region over the years.
The same happened with Zimpapers’ three other radio stations.
At this rate, gender parity will be achieved sooner rather than later.
