"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights" - Gloria Steinem
Women’s History Month celebrates the accomplishments of women across the world, a major part of society who are often left in the shadows. Women’s History Month recognises the work of female activists, academics, pioneers, scientists, all who have made their mark on society although are much less recognised than their male counterparts. Women’s History Month also recognises minority groups like women of colour and LGBTQ+ who often face even more adversity.
Women’s History Month runs throughout the month of March and is recognised by governments, charities and agencies across the globe. This year it is running from Friday 1st March to Sunday 31st March. International Women’s day is held within Women’s History Month on the 8th March. This day celebrates women’s achievements and raises awareness about discrimination that women face on a daily basis. The first International Women’s day was in 1911 and remains just as important today as is was then.
Women’s rights groups fight daily to bring awareness and make changes to a wide range of issues women face on a daily basis. This includes the gender pay gap, domestic violence, rape culture, period poverty, women’s suffrage, maternity pay, sexual violence and harassment, trans women’s rights and so many more.
Within the Legal Sector, the amount of women in law firms in the UK has been rising. 53% of all lawyers are women. There has also been an increase in the amount of lawyers who are of ethnic minority (both male and female). 19% of all lawyers in the UK are of an ethnic minority. This differs from other professional areas such as STEM jobs where only 29.4% of the STEM workforce are female.
The importance of Women’s Rights and how large the issue is across the world is just as key now as it ever has been. The issue is wide spread and effects every single women across the world. This is why it is so important that Women’s History Month is celebrated and recognised as it helps highlight the daily issues women face whilst showing us just how amazing women have been throughout history until the present day.
The Kirklees and Calderdale JLD selected the Women’s Centre to be our charity of the year for all the amazing and important work they do for women in our community. They provide help, advice and assistance to women from all backgrounds across the area with all sorts of problems they may be facing. They are just one of many charities whose sole purpose is to assist women and create awareness for the problems they face. We are proud to be working with them this year and thank them for all the amazing work they do.
There are loads of things you as an individual can do this month (And throughout the year) to support this cause. You can donate to an amazing charity such as the Women’s Centre if you are able. The Women’s Centre offer a membership program which costs £15-£20 per year. You can spread awareness by sharing and posting about key women’s rights issues and sharing blogs/ articles and posts that highlight key issues or provide information about some amazing things that women have done both now and throughout history. You can educate yourself by reading and listening to content about Women’s rights. You can raise your voice and not sit silent when you hear misinformation or prejudiced comments. You can volunteer you time to help local charities and organisations. These are just a few of the things you can do to become involved.
It is important to remember that although March is dedicated to Women, women’s rights and the fight for equality is just as important all year round.
“Until Women enjoy the same rights as men, this inequality is everyone’s problem” – Amnesty International.
If you want to read more about International Women’s day, Women’s History Month, women’s rights and Women in Law have a look at these links:
As well as the above articles there is also a massive amount of literature available for those who are interested. Some examples are:
Hood Feminism – Mikki Kendall
Bad Feminist – Roxane Gay
Dear Ijeawele – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Second Sex – Simone de Beauvoir
Men Explain Things to Me – Rebecca Solnit
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