Today, is the United Nation’s International Women’s Day; a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of OUR countries and communities.
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.
The United Nations asks us to envision reaching this goal before 2030.
Please sit tall, close your eyes and take three deep full breaths…
Open to the vision of a world of gender equality, empowerment and equal rights for all women and girls.
Breathe…
…A world that ensures inclusive and quality education for all and promotes lifelong learning.
Breathe…
Let’s take a few moments to imagine, to dream, to pray in our own way…and, to continue, with Grace, to work with women globally to achieve the UN goals of a world in which:
All girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to effective learning outcomes.
Breathe…
All girls and boys worldwide have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
Breathe…
All forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere are dissolved
Breathe…
All forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and all forms of exploitation are eradicated
Breathe…
Child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation are abolished
Breathe…
Let us embrace each other with compassion for the sorrow of lives not fully expressed because women and girls have been seen as “less-than.”
Many of us were told we couldn’t…
We and our mothers, sisters and daughters had to fight to open doors and windows of opportunity…
Let us celebrate the achievements of every woman: Mothers, Grandmothers, Daughters, Business owners, health professionals, volunteers, political leaders, cooks and more
Let us celebrate the nurturing aspects of men and the many men who lift up women and honor them.
Let us breathe gratitude for the achievements of women in our lifetimes…teachers and mentors who come to mind…all of us who have transcended limiting concepts and expanded our potential.
And together, let us continue to serve the greater good with the power of Universal Womanhood on this International Women’s Day.