Wellbeing

International Women’s Day 2015

There will be thousands of women’s circles, conferences and get-togethers held all over the world; as celebrations, discussions, and conversations take place concerning gender equality in our society

There will be thousands of women’s circles, conferences and get-togethers held all over the world; as celebrations, discussions, and conversations take place concerning gender equality in our society

I have said it before and I would like to reiterate again. The amount of women’s gatherings that are taking place all over the country – and indeed all over the world – is growing substantially, showing that women are hungry to connect and share with each other in their own safe spaces.

And once again this March 8, on International Women’s Day (IWD), the annual focus for all things to do with women, there will be thousands of women’s circles, conferences and get-togethers held all over the world; as celebrations and discussions, as well as conversations on the worrying continuing deep imbalance of power between the genders in all areas of society.

American billionaire business man Warren Buffet, pointed out that only when women, as the 50 percent of society who are not in power, are given the opportunity to contribute to all areas of life alongside men, will we see a real change in the world. And His Holiness The Dalai Lama is quoted as saying that it’s up to women of the west to lead the world into a new, peaceful and sustainable future.

As women rightly move into a more equal position in society in business, communities and national politics, there seems more of a need than ever for small groups of women to gather in each other’s homes, business centres, coffee shops and community centres where they can share stories and support each other.

Oxytocin, the ‘wellbeing’ chemical that women need in their life to stay healthy, has been proven to be released when we women gather together. It’s part of our necessary hormonal balance – we all know how good we feel when we meet with our women friends to laugh, dance, cry and hug.

Sadly many of us are still holding ourselves back from moving into our full power by our own lack of self-confidence. The reality is that we women need our circles and gatherings with each other to remind us that we are perfect and capable of creative endeavours that can genuinely change our communities and our world.

International Women’s Day came into being in the US at the turn of the 19th century when women factory workers hit the streets of New York to protest against low wages. It was taken up by women in Denmark and eastern Europe, where men still present flowers on March 8 as a sign of respect to their loved ones.

I have watched the significance of this day grow in the UK since I first launched SEED on March 8, 2000 when most people were unaware of the date’s significance. Now my diary is packed with events and gatherings around the first two weeks of March.

Make It Happen is the 2015 theme for the internationalwomensday.com global hub, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women. See the events near you here

Article by

Lucy Trevallion

Article by

Lucy Trevallion