March 08, 2005

International Women's Day

So today is International Women's Day, and the ambivalence I felt yesterday hasn't dissipated.

Still not sure why.

I scanned both the Vancouver Sun and The Globe and Mail this morning to see if IWD even rated as news. The results? Dismal. On R2 The Globe and Mail's John Doyle had an article entitled "Whatever happened to the ideals of feminism?" which focused on two documentaries showing on W; "I Was a Teenage Feminist" and "Her Brilliant Career".

The Vancouver Sun wasn't much better - On page A9, they ran a photo with the caption
"Filipino women wearing colourful masks hold a rally Monday in Manila on the eve of the celebration of International Women's Day and the 100th year of the feminist movement in the Philipines. The annual event celebrates the victories of women as well as the challenges they are facing in the areas of empowerment, equal opportunity and reproductive health."

Directly below it? An article titled "Tens of Thousands Raped In Congo" with the lead line
"Only 10 soldiers and militants have been convicted of assault."

Sigh.

The first International Women's Day was established in 1910 in Copenhagen and was designed to promote women's suffrage worldwide. Nowadays, the spin seems to be on celebrating the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women.

Is that what's happening? And what does that mean to me on a more personal level?

More to come.

2 comments:

Princess Wild Cow said...

Believe it or not, I manage to have a job at a company that gives International Women's Day as a paid holiday. It's amazing.

Cin said...

That's fabulous to hear!