Happy International Women's Day 2012

Today is the 101st year the world has collectively celebrated women and the progression towards gender equity for our global community.

This morning I talked to my 7 year old son about what International Women's Day (IWD) means and why we wear purple ribbons on March 8 every year. The conversation went something like this:

"But Mum, nobody else will be wearing them" (That's why its so important for you to wear one, mate)
"My friends will laugh at me" (Then they're not really your friends)
"My teacher will tell me to take it off because its not part of my uniform" (That would be a shame, however they often make exceptions on special days like this)
"It's not cool" (Actually, making a statement when nobody else well is totally cool)
"Ok then, I'll wear it - on my shorts, though, so you can't really see it" (Agreed)

When we arrived at school, we saw some older girls in the playground with ribbons (OK, I will admit they were ones I had given them!), pinning them on each other, the purple standing out loud and proud against the colour of their uniforms.

These children are yet to feel the sting of gender based inequality. There is no subtle or overt preference for boys over girls, there is no awareness of being paid less for the same amount of work, no feeling of isolation or ostracism in realising your classmates or workmates are mostly men and you're actually an unwelcome outsider.

The exceptional opportunity we have on IWD is to start talking to our children about the inequity that happens in our own backyards and around the world, so that it becomes part of their nature to question rather than accept the status quo.
Ask your children, is it fair that for a boy and girl to do the same job that one should be paid more based on their gender.
Ask your children what they think about girls not being allowed to go to school, to vote, to report crimes against them.
Talk to your children about the security threats to women in our neighbouring pacific countries, who sell their goods at marketplaces where there is no lighting, no toilets, no sanitation - and ask them, if with a small amount of money we can make a difference and improve the situation, should we?

Our children know more than we give them credit for, and in their formative years they have a strong sense of justice and fairness not yet compromised by strong social norms.
At 7 years old, my son knows about the 1 child policy in China (and so questions what happens if you get a girl but really wanted a boy). He knows there is extreme poverty in countries such as Fiji, based on our recent holidays there. He knows that changing the rules to suit yourself is enormously unfair. He knows that whilst boys and girls are naturally different in many ways, applying different rules to boys and girls is not OK.

I truly believe that in my lifetime I will see the world change to become a more equitable place. In truth, we are taking small steps every single day.

When we educate our children, when we encourage in them a strong curiosity and the confidence to question and challenge the status quo, we are taking great strides into a future where diversity and equity become our social norms. Growing our children to value and embrace differences in gender, culture, ethnicity and all forms of diversity will improve productivity, reduce crimes against women, improve the economic empowerment of women and communities, reduce the reliance of developing countries on international aid and build stronger, better governed companies and leadership structures.

Educating our children today will build stronger nations tomorrow.

In the famous words of the late Whitney Houston, "I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way"

Happy International Women's Day from Events Hunter

Belinda Smith is the director of Events Hunter, an independent, central online platform connecting the community around events, networking and personal development.
The Events Hunter blog aims to encourage discussion, build awareness and start conversations around topical issues and ideas that will engage its readers to make a contribution and see their world become a better place.
www.eventshunter.com.au