International Women’s Day at 100–We’ve Come a Long Way, Maybe

I tore open the New York Times this morning, hoping to see an article about International Women’s Day, today, March 8.

Nada. Zilch. Nothing recognizing a day first observed in 1909 and ingrained in the global women’s movement.

The economy dominates the news and for good reason, but why not at least an op ed that tells readers the effect of the global financial meltdown women and the spiraling effect that has on families. But then when it comes to cash circulation worldwide, women do 2/3 of the work but get 10% of the income, according to the International Women’s Day 2009 website. If gold rules, then no wonder that only 21% of news stories globally are about women. Yet women continue to be the primary victims of sex trafficking and other sexual abuse, dislocation from wars they didn’t start, and repressive practices such as genital cutting and even restrictions on physical movement.

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