28 February 2014

Is International Women’s Day a waste of time?

Is radical feminism the only way to improve things?!

Emma B. (aged 16), from Lycée Sainte-Marie in Riom, writes:

Since 1975, the 8th March has been International Women’s Day. It is organized by the United Nations. I believe it is a very worthy initiative, but what does it really achieve? In the 1970s, women did great things for equal rights, but, today, who really cares about the issue? Around the world, a few people will get involved in the day’s events but, unfortunately, this will not do much to really improve things for ordinary women…

Women’s Day does a good job of celebrating the women who have had an incredible destiny and have brought progress, like Rosa Parks. That’s fine, but I feel there’s a risk this hides the achievements of ordinary women…

The most positive aspect of Women’s Day for me is the fact that it raises awareness of the violence against women (especially as regards female genital mutilation).

So many women today say and do so many stupid things! I feel these bimbos are spoiling the efforts made by the women of the 20th century to gain equality. Sisters, get your act together!

Questions: 
  1. Why is Women’s Day on the 8th of March?
  2. What does Women’s Day achieve do you think?
  3. Will men and women be equal one day do you think?
  4. Do YOU fight for women’s rights?
  5. Can a girl wear a miniskirt and still be a feminist?

Assignment:
Interview your mother and/or another female relative about how they feel the condition of women has changed...

1 comment:

  1. I have asked my mother and my grandmother about how they have felt the differences of their woman condition between the beginnings of our century to nowadays. They both think that we only start to be free and acknowledged by the world. They think, and I agree with their point of view, that women have always undergone a feeling of inferiority. Laws have been put in place to show their rightful place in our world, yet this is nonsensical to be obliged to set up laws because their reason to live and exist freely is obvious. This is only the beginning of a progress, a rehabilitation of their condition. Even if these laws are useful to formalize the status of women, the real solution would have been to change our perception of women which have been flawed by centuries of religion. Yet, they both agree on the fact that claiming freedom, implies that we admit that there is a difference and thus sometimes a value judgment. By claiming, the women admit that they feel lower than men, whereas, it is precisely them who bring into the world the children who constitute our humanity, let us respect! Of course, there is a difference between man and women. Men comes from Mars and women from Venus, however this value judgment must not exist. Our perception is always the same for the majority of people because women does always the same in their house with all the household appliances and wage differentials. We have to change our status of mind to the benefit of a better world. In my opinion, I don’t need to demand any freedom because I know personally that I am equal to a man, I don’t have any complex!
    Marie ROUX-BLONDELET T°ES

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