I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

      Did you know that the word feminist dates as far back as 1837? Which means, that for almost 200 years, women all over the world have had to fight for their right to vote, the right to own properties, the right to have a choice, and the right to rule their own bodies in cultures where that seems utterly impossible. So really, what have feminists accomplished in all these years? Quite a lot actually.
We see female leaders in several countries, my own having had a female president, something that makes me incredibly proud (check out the map with pink, where pink shades represents female leaders). We have an increasing number of states where woman have the right to vote, and to participate in elections. Around the world, more women know how to read, and get a proper education. Women are attending univiersities in much larger numbers than before, and more women start to realize that they don't have to become mothers, it's a choice like any other. We now realize that we do have a choice, not all of us have to be housewives, we slowly but surely know that we can become anything. Successful doctors and researchers, politicians, astronauts, teachers, own our own companies, and so on and so on. We now realize that we have a choice, that we can realize our dreams just like men can.
   But there's still lots to do. Look at the facts about partner violence around the world. Violence in every form is more common towards women, all over the world (that's not to say it doesn't happen to men, it's just more commonly aimed towards women, so let's focus on the bigger problems, please), and there are thousands of cases every year where the people having acted wrong in these situations walk away without consequence. There are still places where women don't vote, where they don't believe they have a choice regarding their bodies, their life or their views. This is something we need to deal with, and we need to do it now. The person you're with should be loving and supporting you, not hurting you.We've come a long way. We're close to equal pay, most women in the world have a right to vote, and a large number has the right to an education and to pick what their life looks like for themselves. We have female politicians, female leaders to look up to. We have the opportunity to actually choose our own careers. But we are far from equal to men, in many ways.

   So the most important thing to remember this International Women's Day is that we're still fighting. We're still clinging onto what we have, demanding to be treated as equals, and that is amazing. This International Women's Day, think of the women who inspire you. Who makes you want to become a better, more successful you. For me, it's two people: Marie Curie, and my mother.
   Remember to fight for your rights, because although they should be a given, they should be obvious, there are still places where they are not. I am incredibly lucky to be living in a place where I get to make my own choices, growing up with parents who told me I could become anything I wanted. I'm aware that I'm lucky, which makes me want to shine even more light on the injustices around the world.
   So happy International Womens Day! Today we celebrate our progress, the women who made it possible, and shine a light on all the things that still need to get done in order to finally be treated as equals!
To all my girls and ladies out there: be proud of yourself today. Celebrate that you are women, that you're strong, and remember that you are beautiful and a force to be reckoned with!