Imagine a gender equal world. Imagine a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Imagine a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Imagine a world where difference is valued and celebrated. And speaking of difference and celebration, let us celebrate women’s achievements, while also raising awareness against bias. Let us take action for equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity. The foregoing “imagination” is the vision put forward by the International Women’s Day 2023 campaign with the theme #EmbraceEquity. Just imagine.
The history of International Women’s Day stretches back more than 100 years, when the day was first observed across Europe and America in 1910 and is celebrated annually on March 8. The day focuses attention on progress made by celebrating the acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities, as well as a call for change.
While this opportunity to reflect on progress achieved and the issues yet to be addressed is encompassed in one day globally – March 8 – the work to ensure that progress is sustained and needed change is initiated is a year long enterprise, day after day, year after year. There are voices still unheard; women still unable to reach their full potential; women and girls still denied access to education, health care, and employment; there is still a long way to go for women to reach full equality with men.
International Women’s Day is powered by the collective actions of many. It is collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity that makes International Women’s Day impactful. In the words of Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Gloria Steinem,
The Anglican Church Women Diocesan Board encourages parishes to honour the ministry of the women of the parish, both within the parish itself and the community at large, on Women’s Ministry Sunday, which is March 5 in 2023, three days before International Women’s Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate the hard-won progress that women have made in the church, as there are no avenues that are closed to them.
More and more, women’s ministry is being combined with that of men, and this is a direction that is encouraged in the last verse of the Anglican Church Women hymn, The Love of Jesus Calls Us (CP 434). In this verse, women and men are called to be co-creators with God in bringing about the kingdom of God, where love and peace and justice reign. This is a call to #EmbraceEquity, and we are all called to do that.
It is an equal opportunity enterprise, just like the Anglican Church Women Board’s Annual Projects are an equal opportunity contributing initiative. Women and men, groups and parishes are encouraged to contribute funds this year for All In For Youth! to ensure that Indigenous youth can attend and participate in the CLAY 2023 (Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth 2023) Gathering this summer. We want no financial barriers to Indigenous youth attendance. Cheques are payable to the Anglican Church Women Board, Annual Project in the memo line, and can be addressed to Marjorie Davis, 204 – 111 Pebblecreek Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2W 0L1.
An event that is now open to all, and not women only, is the World Day of Prayer (https://worlddayofprayer.net/index.html) that is held the first Friday in March (Mar 3/23). While this global day was initially developed for women and is promoted by the Women’s Inter-church Council, with the resources for the day developed by women (this year, the Christian women in Taiwan for the theme: I Have Heard About Your Faith), it is an equal opportunity worship service available to all.
Having Women’s Ministry Sunday for our diocese be the first Sunday in March means that we can capture the focus on women, their accomplishments and their challenges, that is promoted with International Women’s Day on March 8. Take the time to celebrate on Sunday, March 5 the extensive ministry within the parish and the community of the women in your midst . . . and . . . if that ministry is being carried out in partnership with men, celebrate them, too! #Embrace Equity!
In celebrating women and their accomplishments, whether for Women’s Ministry Sunday, International Women’s Day, or whenever, we are reminded of Mao Zedong’s words: “Women Hold Up Half the Sky.”
