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For this forthcoming International Women's Day (sometime in March, I believe) all I'm seeing are "events" which continue to reduce women to our reproductive capacity. As a woman, I am already aware of this information & would prefer to see women's achievements celebrated #IWD2021
During my lifetime I've seen countless adverts for products relating to women's hygiene, for almost every part of a woman's body, but only ever shaving products for a man's face. Presumably this is because men know how to keep their bodies clean, but women do not? #IWD2021
The TV, radio & printed news carry updates on men's sports almost every day in the year, at the expense of world news stories, yet hardly ever feature women's sports. Why can't men & women's sports be featured equally, or else kept to sports programmes entirely? #IWD2021
The word "menopausal" is used as an insult, casually & often, in open mockery of women who are coping with the loss of their fertility, with ageing, and the sometimes traumatic adjustment period of other hormones in the body taking over vital roles. Why is this allowed? #IWD202
Hundreds of thousands of women have lost their part-time, full-time and/or low-paid jobs in the retail sector. Or they're working from home while home-schooling their children. Why are we not seeing more events about how women are affected by the pandemic? #IWD2021
One of the most offensive "events" I have seen listed is one discussing "pleasure" after abuse, which I would consider a private matter for women & their counsellors, and not a subject for public discussion. Why has all sense of a woman's privacy been taken away? #IWD2021
The objectification of women is now so complete, I believe it must be deliberate. Reports of assaults on women are listed beside images of women "flaunting their curves". And we now casually discuss the "beautiful dead girl" & "dead wife/mother" tropes in Popular Fiction #IWD2021
Every economy in the world depends on women doing several hours of unpaid work each day. Caring for others, keeping homes running smoothly, volunteering in community-based projects, & "being a good listener". Which is effectively working as a psychiatrist or counsellor #IWD2021
Instead of being told about our own lives, & our own experiences, by wealthy celebrities calling themselves "ambassadors", I'd prefer to see referendums being held, in which women could vote for a better way of living, for ourselves & our children. Thank-you #IWD2021
