When Gary asked us to write about anything we like I really haven’t had any good ideas. Then we celebrated women’s day on March 8^th and I thought to write about it. So this is my piece of writing on:-

THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!!!

As you know this particular event is celebrated on the 8^th of March. The very 1^st celebration of women’s day took place in 1911. This day has a very long and violent history. To understand how this day came about it’s necessary to pay our attention back to early 20^th century.

During 1908 the women were not given some advantages that men had. Some of the women were not happy about this and these feelings of inequality and oppression made many women to raise there voices against this. Most of the women were encouraged by these feelings of inequality and they felt the necessity to campaign about it. So in year 1908, 15000 women marched over the streets of New York City to demand shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. (They weren’t even given the right to vote!!)

In 1910, the 2^nd international conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen. Clara Zetnik the leader of the German “Women’s Office” for the Social Democratic party 1^st had the idea of having a women’s day. Tabling this idea she told that it is important for every single woman to obtain their needs and rights. There were about 100 women who represented 17 countries at this conference.

After the decision was made the 1^st International Women’s Day held on 19^th March in 1911. This was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Not only women but men also attended these IWD rallies and they campaigned for the women’s right to be trained, vote and work. They also campaigned against the discrimination towards women in general. Unfortunately after week from this official 1^st IWD (international women’s day) event the “TRIANGLE FIRE” broke out in a New York sweat shop killing about 140 innocent working women and girls. This tragic event caught a great deal of international and congress attention to the deplorable working conditions that these women had to endure. Apart from that most of the women that were killed were Jewish or Italian. After some events the IWD was changed to March 8^th and this day has been the global day for women ever since.

In 21^st century we can see women in every field of the society. They have stepped in to politics, board rooms and higher ranks in other fields. Despite these improvements inequality hasn’t still changed. Still men are paid much than women and they have outnumbered women all most in every field. And still there are some places in the world where women’s health and education is paid less attention. And the violence against women’s is still continues to be great. Thanks to former members of IWD we have the right to vote, but still people consider women as weaker living beings who should live under male domination. I strongly disagree with people who think in that way.

According to my point of view; I see a woman as a wonderful creation of god. They can do many more things that you haven’t even dreamed about. In Sri Lanka, people never gave women the equality they should be given. I have no idea why people consider a woman as a weaker human being. Sure they aren’t as strong as men physically, but they are very powerful mentally even than men. (I might be wrong, but I really think so) People have always underestimated women in many fields. In early days in SL women were not given the right to attend schools. Why can’t she even have the right for her education? In recent past women were not so famous in politics. All I’m saying is “she” is capable of many more things. Just don’t put her down.

There were women who changed the world in many ways. As an example the iron woman; Margaret Thatcher she was the Prime Minister of United Kingdom. She made a huge impact on the whole world. And Hillary Clinton the secretary of state is good example to what women can achieve. And I guess you all have heard about Anne Frank. Of course she is not a woman she is a girl. Still the diary she had written about her life in secret annex is world famous and we have to study it for English Literature too. She represents the great amount of suffering that a woman can endure. Let’s go to the past. What about the great queen Cleopatra, she ruled the country well. Well…. She did some bad things too. Like killing her lovers but still she was great.

When the IWD arrives I know some boys (some of my friends) who say “aaaaah! It’s such a stupid day!” If you think that this is a stupid day, hello…. What about you mother then? She is a woman too. Do you consider this day which is special for your mother as a stupid, utterly useless day? No, I hope not.

I just think about your mother the great woman who gave life to you. People consider women as unimportant things especially in Asian countries. Take India for example, it’s really hard for an Indian girl to do an occupation especially if it’s about modeling or acting. True there are many famous actresses but still if they wear something half naked they are blamed. Even some Indian people protest against them. Is this the way we want to live, without having the freedom to do what we like? Sure because of religious reasons and cultural reasons (like in our country) we do have some restrictions. But there are some parents who don’t even let their daughters to do the occupation they like. In SL parents always say; “no, you should be a doctor or an engineer. You shouldn’t do modeling. That’s a bad job.” It’s a relief to see that this system is changed a little. But still you can see these kinds of things happening

And also I have noticed that most of the time girls are being blamed in the society. The violence against women is increasing in the society nowadays. If a girl is raped most of the time the whole society blames the girl. Discriminate her in many ways. What about the man then? Some would blame him but he won’t be discriminated in the society. Or may be he would be send to the jail. But the life that was destroyed cannot be mended.

Some men don’t respect women much. I don’t know why? They may don’t know about the impact that women cause to their lives. Just think about your special one. Do you respect her? Sure you do. But do you respect the lady who’s cleaning the toilets? No, you don’t. But she is a woman too. People who respect women mostly do it for the posts they hold. Not because she is a woman. On this women’s day all I want to say is respect her needs. She is capable of many things. Don’t underestimate her.

Okay now you’ll definitely tell me that I’m biased, and that I’m blaming men for all these things. Actually in 21^st century, things have changed. Nowadays women do have equal rights as men. (Most of the time) But still there are some countries in the world that draws a woman’s image as a person who should cook, raise children and live inside the house. Still Muslim women cannot go inside their mosques. They can go, but there’s a limit there. And some Muslim girls cannot wear whatever they like to wear.

In SL we have a man centered society. Because of that male domination can be seen everywhere. Some times this male domination causes mental health problems like depression too. When women are married in SL they have to do whatever their husband says. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing but women should be given equal responsibilities at home too.

When Valentines Day arrives people make a big deal out of it. But this year we celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the women’s day and people doesn’t seem to make a very big deal out of it. In European countries women most of the time have equal rights. But mostly in Asian countries we don’t have equal rights. This happens mostly because of our culture. Sure, we cannot blame anyone for that. So in here I’m not blaming anyone I just want you to think about what I said. I really don’t feel very strongly about this subject. (Some what strong) I wrote this just because Gary asked us to write something.

I know you all will think that this is such a stupid article. I just wanted to say my point of view on this subject. If I had accidentally typed something unfair I apologize. Sorry.

:)