Woman Crush Wednesday

On a belated note, it was International Women's Day yesterday.

It's like Chaka Khan says, "I'm every woman, it's all in me", and in cities across the world, women gathered to show what exactly they were made of, by participating in marches and events for gender equality.

According to the UN, it is “a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women."

IWD is not officially attached with a particular organization, but it does bring together female groups, governments, businesses and charities.

The roots of IWD began on February 28th in 1909, when it was originally called International Working Women's Day. It was first celebrated in remembrance of the 1908 International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union strike, when 15,000 workers marched through New Yorks lower east side demanding social and political rights.

In 1996, the UN decided to allocate the day a theme, with this year being "Be bold for change". It's an inspiring message that encourages women to take to the streets, particularly to protest over divisive and controversial politics.

Iceland became the first country in the world to make businesses prove equal pay, it also further promised to abolish the gender pay gap by 2022 this week. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum said the gender gap in the rest of the world won't close until 2186. In the USA, Women's March on Washington held A Day Without Women yesterday. Women were encouraged to strike for economic inequality, prejudice and insecurity faced by women in the workplace. They are also encouraging women to wear red to show their solidarity with the movement. 

In Ireland, women are still not allowed a legal abortion. Currently, 12 women a day travel to the UK for a termination. It is still one of few western European countries that has the ban, and having an abortion is punishable with a prison sentence of up to 14 years in Éire. Repeal are an activist rights group who are calling for a referendum to change this law, which was written into the constitution in 1983. Action's were louder then words on Wednesday afternoon when Repeal the 8th strikers brought O'Connell bridge to a standstill, whilst in London, women gathered outside the Irish Embassy to voice their anger.

Nicola Nevin outside the Irish Embassy on her lunch break 

Fíodhna Horan-Murphy taking part in the Repeal protest in Dublin yesterday

Events including workshops, inspiring talks and fundraisers were held all across London yesterday. Just off Shoreditch High Street, Nike Women print artist Kelly Anna was hosting an evening in Mother. Organised by Women Who, the lively event brought together females from all walks of life (and one man) to drink some gin based cocktails and get crafty.

The sponsors of the Woman Who evening

Gin, tumeric and ginger ale cocktails

It wasn't your average table spread. Sketch books, Winson & Newton markers, female empowerment stickers, and scissors were at your disposal to design a print to be plonked on a white t-shirt, that came in your limited edition tote bag from Kelly's latest collaboration with Nike Women. Otegha K. Uwagba, owner of Women Who, and Kelly, kept their speech short and sweet and ended it by introducing the Female DJ's, which kept the room lively with some classic r&b and trap anthems.

In an Instagram post after the event, Otegha thanked all the "super females" who showed up and said the result was "a reminder of the magic that happens when you get a bunch of women together".

The table spread

"NEVER TAME YOUR GAME" Kelly Anna Nike Women tote bag

My design, ready to print

The result

A quick speech from the organiser and the artist

Attendees of this sold out event all came for the same reason - to celebrate being female. In a world that's so overcrowded with testosterone, it's time to stop comparing. Amongst repulsive sexism, social issues or division of any kind, it's important to have a day to remember that we are all, and should be, equal. No ovary-xaggeration.