“An equal world is an enabled world.”
That’s the core theme driving this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, which recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all around the world every year on March 8.
“Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements,” reads the messaging on the IWD 2020 website.
“Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let’s all be #EachforEqual.”
In celebration of IWD, we talked to a select group of female Yorkville University students and staff about what the day means to them, why it’s important to celebrate women’s achievements, and the role education plays in helping women gain equality.
Palak Dang, Bachelor of Interior Design student
1) What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me, International Women’s Day means empowering women…gaining confidence and just letting everyone know that a woman is equal.
2) What role does education play in helping women achieve equality?
I’m from India and if I’m being really honest, education helped me to understand my rights. I think education plays a really, really important role in a woman’s life, because it really helps you understand if you are being discriminated against and if you’re not being treated equally.
3) Advice to women who are hesitant to pursue higher education?
Don’t be underestimated. You should be confident enough to open up and speak for yourself… At the end of the day, nobody’s going to help you but yourself. You’re the one who’s going to pick yourself back up when you fall down, so it’s really important to have confidence in yourself. If you feel like you can do it, you can do it – definitely.
Suzanne Coke, International Enrolment Advisor
1) Why is it important to recognize International Women’s Day?
Looking back years ago, women were always thought of as housewives. The fact that we’re now enabled to do work that people once considered men’s tasks; that we can liberate ourselves from the labels that people have given us, or what people have condemned us to be; that we have out-shined what they have expected of us; and that we have stood above everything that people have said we could not do, mean we have literally enlightened them to say that we can do it, too…that women are loved, women are powerful, women are needed, women are important – and that is a vital thing we need to learn in this society that we live in.
2) What role does education play in helping women achieve equality?
Education helps to build a woman into who she wants to be, and not just what society tells her she needs to be.
3) Advice to women who are hesitant to pursue higher education?
I would say, do not be discouraged and do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Just go out there, seek what you want, go after what you want and achieve those goals. Don’t let anyone hold you back, don’t let anything hold you back, don’t let society hold you back. Believe in yourself, because you are a woman and we are here to support you.
Trushanti Shirodkar , Bachelor of Interior Design student
1) What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day recognizes women who have played a role in the development of any sector, all around the world. It can be something in their own home, to interior designing, to science, technology or anything. It’s about recognizing them in their own field, and appreciating them for whatever they have done.
2) What role does education play in helping women achieve equality?
I think education plays the most important role…because to stand equally, women need to know about things, they need to come out of their comfort zones and gain knowledge about other things, as well.
3) Advice to women who are hesitant to pursue higher education?
I would just say that every woman has a right to knowledge, every woman has a right to learn ….And it’s her decision to make use of it or not…I think women should not think about what the world is going to say if they start getting education. If they want to, they should.
