Day 2-67 -- A Day to Address Inequality

International Women's Day -- a time to recognize women in our societies and address the needs for equality in all parts of the world. Much research has identified that enabling women to become empowered can benefit local food security, regional economic growth and long term health of populations. Yet, even in North America equality of access to paid work, pensions, education, and health care are not what they could be. Single parent households have much lower incomes when headed by women than by men. Women have poorer health and fewer disability free years than men. Gender-based violence still creates problems within society. Social constructions of archetypal roles of men and women seem to be the basis of such inequalities.

Just over one hundred years ago, women in Canada, the US and the UK fought for women's right to vote. Their road was not an easy one (see the movies Iron Jawed Angels OR Suffragette). Since World War II women have entered the workforce so that today many homes have two wage earners. Women have entered post-secondary education and moved into professional roles throughout society. Yet, the glass ceiling is still very evident in business and administrative roles. The current pioneers in these areas stand beside the suffragettes and Canada's Famous Five.

A song for today was difficult to settle on. Many songs about strong women seem based on subjugation. I did find one to share. The lyrics come from a poem by Maya Anjelou and are performed by a number of female singers. Enjoy!

Phenomenal Woman -- Olivia Newton-John (Ft. Delta Goodrem, Amy Sky, Mindy Smith and Others)