Before jumping to conclusions and praising the idea of an International Men’s Day for the sake of fairness, it’s important to understand the underlying reasons. The existence of an International Men’s Day on November 19 does not signify that gender equality has been fully achieved. The critique is aimed at the superficial and tokenistic nature of International Women’s Day celebrations.
Despite ongoing issues of misogyny, violence against women, and gender disparities in various sectors, the approach to International Women’s Day often falls short. Efforts to mark the occasion sometimes involve performative gestures like baking cakes and delivering generic inspirational messages, which do little to address the systemic issues faced by women.
In the UK, the reality for women includes low representation in top corporate positions, widening gender pay gaps, and discriminatory practices related to maternity leave and workplace restructuring. These challenges are further compounded by intersecting factors such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and socio-economic status.
The criticism extends to the thematic approach of International Women’s Day, with themes like “Give to Gain” appearing disconnected from the urgent issues that women face. Such themes, often chosen for their neutrality, have been perceived as lacking substance and failing to drive meaningful change.
The call to action for International Women’s Day should prioritize tangible solutions such as addressing the gender pay gap, promoting gender equity in career advancement, and advocating for improved parental benefits. These fundamental changes, rather than symbolic gestures, are crucial for advancing the rights and opportunities of women.
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