March 8—International Women’s Day
The Human Rights Team has historically encouraged FAWCO and FAUSA members to participate in Join Me on the Bridge to celebrate International Women’s Day. Women for Women International initiated the event after women in their programs in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo met on a bridge joining the two countries in a plea for an end to the war between their nations. The event still exists to call for peace in solidarity with women in war-torn countries. Consider participating by meeting on a local bridge or creating a “virtual” bridge, such as by joining hands in a circle.
The official theme for International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter, calling for a more gender-balanced world and emphasizing that everyone has a role to play. Focusing not just on gender equity, but rather on gender balalnce, fits nicely with the HR Team’s focus for the 16 Days Campaign on gender norms that present challenges for both men and women. Search for events planned in your area or plan an event of your own.
On International Women's Day share this 2-minute video from Free the Feminine about celebrating global sisterhood and visit their website for information on how to participate.
Watch Girl Rising's new film Brave Girl Rising, which will be released on International Women's Day, about a refugee girl fighting for her right to an education. Read the first installment in their blog series to learn about the background of the film.
Women’s History Month
March is also Women’s History Month. The theme for the National Women’s History Alliance 2019 celebration is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.” This year they honor women who have led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society. These honorees embraced the fact that the means determine the ends and so developed nonviolent methods to ensure just and peaceful results. Check out their website for details on the honorees and related information. One of the 2019 honorees is Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International, referenced above.
In conjunction with the 16 Days theme, End Gender-Based Violence in the World of Work, consider watching Anita, a fascinating documentary detailing Anita Hill’s accusations of sexual harassment in the workplace against now Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas and Confirmation, a fictionalized version of the story starring Kerry Washington. You can also read Anita Hill’s book about her experiences, Speaking Truth to Power, and/or watch North Country with Charlize Theron, a fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States in 1984 by a woman who endured a range of abuse while working as a miner.
Here are some other ideas for observing Women’s History month, on your own or with your club:
- View one or more of the films on the Representation Project’s List of Women-Directed Films of 2019. And as you are watching other movies, you might want to check out grademymovie.com, which grades films based on the inclusion of women and people of color in the cast and crew.
- Watch and share this fun 3-minute video of 10 Influential Women History Books Never Include.
- Watch this 7-minute video from PBS about the Seneca Falls Convention, the first convention on women’s rights in the US.