What if we started this International Women’s Day deciding that we as women will be each other’s ally? That we support each other, we rally for each other and just be kind. From there we can try to understand where we are each coming from and the journey we are taking.
As young girls we learn to complete with each other, though for most of us it was not always in a health way. So, let’s relearn to complete, challenge each other and still be colleagues and celebrate the success of other women as it is not a reflection of our defeat.
Let’s learn to build networks and mentorships to help women succeed. Find ways to better connect women together to share our knowledge and history so this important information is not lost. Development of a networks where we can store and access information to support women’s ideas, goals and to be able to better strategize and plan. We need to start looking more future forward with strategic planning on where we are going.
It’s 2020 and yes, we are still fighting for basic human rights! Fighting that the victim is not to be blamed, clothes are just that clothes, NO means NO! and silence is not consent and women are not asking for it. Yes, these are still what women face and what we are still stand together strong fighting for!
2020 International Women’s Day slogan says, “We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviors and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society.”
Let’s in 2020 go out and show society that for all women today this to be true! That we will no longer be quiet, that we will no longer ask for what we are entitled to, that what we are here to do is: Step out of line ladies. Step out of line for equality.
Diana Walker
UNE National Equity Representative for Women