CW: This article includes mentions of sexual assault which some readers might find distressing. If you need to seek out assistance or support, contact 1800 RESPECT.
Another year, another International Women’s Day. Another hashtag – #Breakthebias.
Made official in 1977 by the United Nations, with March 8th being a significant date for a number of women’s movements globally. Since, and more recently, the day is becoming a second Mother’s Day, with more platitudes and congratulations than addressing the real and ongoing issues for women globally.
This is why now I am apprehensive about the day. Because each year I am confronted with the same messaging, the same promotions, the same colours. The same speeches – and the same ongoing systemic issues facing women. I am shown that I should strive to be a CEO of companies that have been built on unfair labour practices against women, or ‘lean in’ to spaces that have consistently excluded Black women, Indigenous women, and women living with a disability. That I should pursue opportunities in politics where women are abused at the highest levels of the sector.
And I’m supposed to be on board? Every year I see panels and luncheons on “women in business” or “making waves,” generally featuring women I admire. We pat ourselves on the back and go home from an event that cost $140 a ticket.
Where is the anger? Where is the people’s movement in all of this? Every year I look upon this day and feel so removed. Why aren’t we out protesting against sexual assault and harassment, increasing poverty among women, and continued inequality for First Nations women? Why are we having lunch?
The only time I have felt connected to the Women’s movement in recent times is attending this year’s March4Justice on February 27th, which was inaugurated last year in wake of the allegations of rape in Parliament House by Brittany Higgins. As far as I can tell, the March4Justice appears to be grassroots, community-led, and most importantly – angry. The march featured artwork by Danielle Bain entitled “The Lost Petition,” a powerful work dedicated to the victims of domestic violence in recent years.
I’m not alone in this, many advocates made this case on the day. Celeste Liddle’s piece International Women’s Day is a call to action, not a branding opportunity gave a fantastic insight into the commercialisation of gender equality. Clementine Ford posted a number of Instagram stories about the institution on International Women’s Day.
Instagram Stories by Clementine Ford on International Women’s Day 2022
Ford advocates for the use of the United Nations theme ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.’ While I have my reservations about the UN as an institution as well, the theme at least acknowledges and tries to address issues that face women that aren’t in the corporate sector.
We cannot #Breakthebias (whatever that means) if we only focus on the accolades of the few. We continue to focus on the economic prosperity of career success of a few select women as a cause for celebrations without addressing key issues that hold the majority of women back from the same opportunities. We need to break bias for all women, no matter their background.