International Women's Day

It was yesterday. But we know that I can't be trusted to blog about events on the date on which they fall.

That would be asking far too much.

Besides which, International Women's Day is still on my mind. I have been pondering it intermittently over the week, wondering what the day means to me in a country that doesn't overtly discriminate against women, with my upbringing that never made me feel second best for being female.

The International Women's Day website notes that the day is to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. There is a particular focus on supporting women in developing countries, many of whom still have limited access to education, employment opportunities, and freedom outside of marriage. However, the day is also about recognising the positive changes that have occurred for women since the day was established in 1911.

We're having random photos today folks

Part of me wonders how we would feel if there was an International Men's Day and not an equivalent (edit - apparently there is an International Men's Day, on the 19th November each year from 2002), but of course I recognise the history of the occasion and the ongoing discrepancies between women and men in so many places and in so many domains - in opportunities, educational achievements, and employment progression and income, to name a few. I am grateful that we have a day to highlight these issues in their past and present form.

I have still been pondering though.

You see, I grew up with the belief that I could be anything I want to be. A doctor, a teacher, a mother, a writer (all things I seriously considered as careers)...whatever I wanted.

I also grew up with the expectation, even understanding, that I would go to university. My parents placed great value on education and I naively assumed that anyone and everyone could head there, irrespective of gender, class, colour, or other background.

As a teenager, my parents were perhaps more strict with me than they would have been if I was a boy (certainly they were more strict with me than they were with my brother) but I never thought I was inferior for being female. I went to an all girls' high school and the messages there were the same - girls can do anything. Science and Mathematics were promoted, challenging the stereotypes that we should stick to English or Art (although, of course, we could do those too).

I did go to university and I did pursue the career I wanted to pursue. I don't consider that I have ever been discriminated against due to my gender.

But.

My high school education included home economics - sewing and cooking. My brother's equivalent was woodwork.

I learnt at an early age that it matters how you look. Especially if you are female. High school popularity seemed to correlate with the right hair, the right face, the right clothes, and the right make-up.

My friends are now taking maternity leave and making decisions about how to balance motherhood with their careers. Some are opting out of careers to stay at home. Others are navigating the tricky balancing act between the too.

I iron Mr Bite's shirts. By choice. I also do most of the cooking, whereas I like to leave outdoor and/or DIY tasks to him.

I can't change a tyre on a car. Or at least, I am sure I could (I can do anything, remember?) but I have never learned and feel no desire to do so. And the idea of getting involved with my car's engine terrifies me.

At the age of 28, with friends having babies at surprising frequency, I am also made aware of the very real nature of female biology. There will come a point where I either have children or I do not. Clearly, my life in 20 years time will be influenced quite considerably by which of those outcomes occurs.

I don't have any answers as to how strides towards gender equality should incorporate differences in male and female biology, childbearing and child raising roles included, or in how we should balance those biological differences against social gender stereotypes that shape us all from infancy onwards.

I suppose there are no definitive answers. For my part, though, here are the results of my ponderings, and the things I would hope for in 10 years time. I would love to hear your list if you have one.

• Comprehensive education for all children, of all sexes, everywhere in the world
• Taking appearance out of the self-worth equation. How you look does not define who you are, but too many children - especially girls - continue to learn that it does.
• More family friendly workplaces. Flexible employment options, for men as well as women, to support parents with young children.
• Ongoing efforts to make employment equitable and career choices free of gender stereotyping.
• Let girls be girls for as long as possible. The shift towards younger 'fashion' trends and make-up on 8-year-old children makes me sad. 

On other matters, and taking a complete side step, today is a significant day for another reason. Those deadlines I mentioned in my February recap post - the ones that were making work loom larger than life and my head spin with anxiety and too-much-to-do thoughts? - they are are done.

Submitted. Gone. As of 12pm today. I feel a bit dizzy with it all. I also did a work presentation today, so things have really been on the over-wrought side. So much so that I decided today would be an appropriate day to go home early.

I've been home since 2.15pm (!!) and the weekend is looking, frankly, beautiful.

I hope yours is too!

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