Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Learn more about celebrating 100 years of women’s achievments here.
Tragically, today too many women around the world still can not vote, open bank accounts, study or get advanced education, do work of their choice, marry the person of their choice or live a life different from their culture’s expectations with dignity. Too many women are still stoned for adultery (as if men don’t participate), killed at birth for not being male, or treated as family servants and slaves. In too many places rape is still seen as something that women bring on themselves, rather than as a crime of violence, power, violation and abuse.
Read Lisa Shannon’s powerful and moving book, A Thousand Sisters documenting the treatment of women in the Congo, for example.
Throughout most of human history (until the last century) women have been considered property – owned by men. That is still true in many places today. In the United States, these same conditions have only been alleviated for women within the last century. I am keenly aware that only within the last twenty years would I have been allowed to attend a Catholic seminary in order to receive my M.Div. degree.
But huge changes have come in my lifetime. In the United States, since the 1960’s, women can now open bank accounts without their husbands or fathers co-signing. Their confidential medical files are no longer shared on their husbands’ requests. While the glass ceiling exists, more women continue moving into positions of authority in business and in politics. Meanwhile, men are becoming more involved in family life. Bringing balance to both genders is good for families and for society.
Women comprise more than half the world’s population. What is good for women is ultimately good for their children, their families, their communities and the world.
