International Women's Day 2012

Today, 8 March, is International Women's Day.  I loved this design from HennaMehndi in India and am reposting it here because it is a reference to henna as often used by my "sisters" in Morocco (and elsewhere in the world) as well as a beautiful design that celebrates women everywhere.

Although IWD is being celebrated in different ways around the world, information about events in specific countries may be found at the International Women's Day site.  A troubling and mysterious footnote here:  while using Chrome, my usual browser of choice, this morning, I found that the IWD site was blocked. !!!! I had to find the link on Internet Explorer.  So I hope that it works.  What mysterious little gremlins have been at work here?  And why?  Hmmm ....

In January, Swiss women in the tiny hamlet of Fahrwangen celebrated a centuries-old tradition where their "equality" was effectively demonstrated in a documented way.  As described in this video courtesy of Swiss Info, during religious infighting (heavy sigh here!) in 1712, the women marched into the woods, making so much noise that they gave invading forces the impression that the village was much better armed than it actually was.  The invaders backed off without firing a shot.  Thanks to the women and their courage for preventing bloodshed, they received a "reward:" one day of the year when they could command.

One day!  The menfolk's generosity was breathtaking!

It took Switzerland a long time to consider its women citizens on the same political footing as men.  Switzerland was one of the last countries in Europe to grant women the right to vote.  In 1971!  Swiss Info also has an interesting photo gallery illustrating the struggles.

Interestingly, despite this late start, a recent study by George Washington University compared the situations of women in the workplace in both the US and Switzerland, concluding that while there were good and bad points to be made about each country, there is more gender equality in - wait for it - Switzerland.  Imagine that!  

Still, even in these two industrialized nations, women - especially those in politics or who take what are perceived as political stances - are seen as fair game for those who would never dream of attacking men - or at least attacking white, heterosexual men.  Thus, in the US, the bloviator controversy continues (I sincerely hope that the very offensive offender is removed from the airwaves altogether - it should have happened long ago) and too many others egregiously attack women's control over their own bodies.  Make no mistake, these attacks are not about religious choices.  They are all - and only - about power.

And in Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, twice President of the Swiss Republic and a personal political favorite of mine, was just this past Monday hit in the face with a cream pie by an unhappy constituent.  Male, naturally.  There is video of the incident at the link.  Ms Calmy-Rey, as the admirable human being that she is, rose above this incident and will not have the man charged as is her right.

No matter how far women may seem to have come, there is still much educating to be done.  So please, celebrate today by remembering the many women you admire or who made positive differences in your own lives.