INTERNATIONAL WOMEN`S DAY: What We Have Left Out.

By; Nakato Mary Gorrettii

The International Women’s Day has a rich history that spans
over a century. IWD was officially recognized by the United
Nations in 1975 and in 1977, the General Assembly adopted a
resolution proclaiming March 8th as the UN day for Women’s

Rights and International Peace.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we are reminded
that despite the progress made, we have merely scratched the
surface of achieving true equality like a drop of water that
ripples the surface of a vast ocean, yet leaves the depths
untouched,
Today has been celebrated around the world with the aim of
promoting women’s empowerment, equality and rights.

EQUALITY
STRONGER LAWS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND
VIOLENCE

Despite the existence of laws protecting employees, countless
women continue to face horrific experiences of harassment and
assault in workplaces. The #MeToo movement has brought to
light numerous cases of powerful men abusing their positions to
threaten, harass, and assault female employees. With some
being forced to quit their jobs or remain silent due to fear of
retaliation or unemployment. These women come forward with
complaints only to be met with inadequate action. It is
imperative that we demand change and strengthen laws to
protect women from harassment and violence. Through
increasing accountability for perpetrators and enablers and
providing safe and confidential reporting mechanisms

LATERAL OPPRESSION

Women have perpetuated patriarchal attitudes and behaviors
and often unintentionally, or for some, intentionally contribute to
the oppression of fellow women. This can manifest as jealousy,
competition, or criticism against fellow women. A furious class
of Lady Sneerwells determined to make other women as
miserable as possible has immerged in modern day times. This
has led to a toxic cycle of women undermining and belittling
each other instead of supporting and uplifting one another.

EMPOWERMENT
The lack of representation and leadership opportunities for
women is a pressing issue that persists despite progress. Let’s
take the United Nations for instance, where all Secretary-
Generals have been men, from Trygve Haldvan Lie, to Ban Ki-
moon, Kofi Annan, and currently, Antonio Guterres. The
underrepresentation is also evident in the entertainment
industry. However, there are encouraging signs of change. For
example, the movie director who brought us Sherlock Holmes
went on to create Enola Holmes, a film that shines the spotlight
on the often-overlooked sister of the famous detective.

As Vanessa Paradis puts it, “Women are the real superheroes”.
It is time we recognize and empower more women to take on
leadership roles, it is not just a matter of fairness, it is essential
for driving innovation and creating inclusivity.
RIGHTS

THE UNYIELDING STRUGGLE FOR WOMENS RIGHTS UN Women launched 16 days of Activism against GBV, A crucial initiative aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. However, despite the UNs efforts, GBV remains a pervasive issue worldwide. One major weakness of the UNs
approach is the lack of meaningful engagement with men and
boys as perpetrators of GBV. While the organization has
created initiatives like “HeForShe” campaign, which aims to

engage men in the fight against GBV, more needs to be done
to address the root of toxic masculinity and hold perpetrators
accountable.
A look into property rights and societal norms.
In Buganda, a popular saying goes: “Ataayale mu kika, azaala
bawala”- She who gives birth to only girls, is not assured of a
place in her home. This proverb highlights the deeply ingrained
patriarchal norms that have perpetuated the marginalization of
women.

Despite progress made in recent years, women
continue to face significant challenges in exercising their rights,
particularly when it comes to property ownership. Customs and
norms that deny women their rightful place in society are still
prevalent today.

Women are expected to undertake domestic chores and care
for children, while men are often absolved of these
responsibilities. This unequal distribution of labour reinforces
the notion that women are inferior and incapable of managing
property or making important decisions.

Furthermore, women are increasingly becoming breadwinners,
taking on the responsibility of providing for their families while
their husbands remain idle. This role reversal has not, however,
translated into greater autonomy or respect for women. Instead,
it has often led to increased domestic violence, as men seek to
assert their dominance and control over their partners.

As someone who has worked with clients who were victims to
domestic violence, I can attest that the root cause of this abuse
often lies in the perpetrators desire to demonstrate their power and superiority. The notion that women are “soft” and can be beaten is a pervasive and destructive stereotype that must be challenged. It is imperative that we continue to push for greater recognition and protection of womens rights, only through collective action

and a commitment to promoting gender equality can we hope
to create a more just and equitable society for all and proudly
celebrate femininity.