It’s here, the annual WatchUsRoam 5 things for #IWD. This “holiday” is 103 years old and there is a lot of change to create, still. Set aside, worldwide, for women to be recognized, to feel the strength of the entire female tribe. We have come a long way on some women’s issues. But there is much, much more to do. Women in positions of power and prestige and affluence have to do more to light the way for those that don’t have any of those luxuries. And we need to expose and fight harder for women globally stuck in extreme poverty, who are enslaved, who are bound to live their lives indebted to someone to whom they owe nothing. The fight for female equality is nowhere near the finish line. But don’t think you are helpless, sitting in your cubicle, miles away from any famine feeling of depravity. Small things that we can all do help build the base for the larger pyramid. Speak up for yourself every day. Speak out for others and for what is right. Even if that’s to the coworker sitting next to you. Run for a committee. Support a female city council member. Purchase from female run businesses. Get to know your female neighbors. Ask for a raise. Lean in, lean up, lean on each other for positive support, always. Fill your circles with people who will do the same. Be that lady beacon you’d want to have as a mentor. Become her, now. We can do it.

Did you know…

Women farmers produce more than half of the food grown in the world, and roughly 1.6 billion women depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, but receive only about 5% of extension services and own only 2% of land worldwide. – Worldwatch Institute 

The United Nations reports that only 22% of parliamentarians globally are women. GLOBALLY. Less than 1/4 of the people making the most important world decisions are women.

1 in 3 women worldwide have been the victim of domestic abuse by a partner in their lifetime. In some countries, it isn’t even a crime.

A study by The Lancet, a UK Medical Journal, published using data from 219 countries from 1970 to 2009 found that, for every one additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreased by 9.5%

This year’s theme is “Be Bold For Change”. In reality, we shouldn’t need this day. But we do, and everyday it is really important that women stand up for what they believe in, that we aren’t quiet and don’t put our needs behind others, and that we continuously push for change toward equality. Not just in the states, but everywhere. We aren’t free until we are all free.

If you want to educate yourself more, here and here and here are great places to start.

Be bold. You can do it.  ~ Amanda