Flowers and candy are fine, but why is March 8th really about rights and not gifts?
Did you know that March 8th isn't just a day when boys give girls tulips and teachers candy? This holiday actually has a very interesting history!
How it all began: no, it's not about spring and beauty 🌸
In 1908, 15,000 women took to the streets of New York City to demand better working conditions, the right to vote, and equal pay. At the time, women worked 16-hour days, couldn't vote in elections, or even attend university. Can you imagine? 😱
It was the women's demonstration on March 8 that was the beginning of many for the right to be full citizens, not just "complements" to men.
Inequality today that you notice every day 👀
It seems that inequality is something far away and not about us? But take a closer look at your life: imagine how teachers often ask boys to move desks, and girls to wipe the blackboard? Or how in career guidance they advise boys to go into IT and engineering, and girls into pedagogy and the humanities? This is not a coincidence, but the remnants of the same stereotypes that women fought against at the beginning of the 20th century.
Why does "Happy March 8th" sound a little strange 🤨
Many people perceive March 8th as a day to tell girls how beautiful and charming they are. But think about it:
- Is it true that compliments about appearance are what women fought for?
- Isn't it strange to be congratulated on being born a certain gender?
- And has the equality for which people protested really been achieved in our time?
You might think, "But it's nice to receive gifts! What difference does it make what the occasion is?"
Imagine if on Ukraine's Independence Day, instead of talking about freedom and sovereignty, everyone just gave you candy for being born Ukrainian. It would be strange, wouldn't it?
And so it is with March 8th — if it is a day of struggle for equal rights, then discounts on cosmetics or congratulations "on being a girl" look a bit strange, as if they ignore the essence of this day.
How can you celebrate March 8th in a meaningful way? 💡
Of course, this doesn't mean you should get angry if someone gives you tulips. Here are some ideas for how to celebrate this day with an understanding of its history:
- Watch a movie or read a book about women who changed the world.
- Discuss with friends whether there is equality in your school and what could be improved.
- Support an organization that helps girls and women.
- Give your friend a book about strong women or their achievements.
- Ask your mother, grandmother, or older sister what manifestations of inequality they have encountered in their lives.
Is this important to you personally? 🤔
"It's not about me," you might think. But in reality, feminism is simply the idea that all people have equal rights, regardless of gender. Are you against that?
And you already benefit from the results of this struggle every day. Thanks to it, you can study at any university and choose a profession. You can vote, play your favorite sport, travel independently, have your own money, and dress however you want.
This was made possible by those women who took to the streets in protest over a century ago!
So the next time you receive a greeting or flowers on March 8th, remember what this day really means. And maybe it will make you think about how equal opportunities are for everyone in our society 🌈
