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2023 International Women's Day
2023 International Women’s Day will celebrate women’s achievements and promotes gender equity on March 8th. This celebration takes place annually and this year’s theme is “Embrace Equity,” emphasising the need for fair access to opportunities and resources. Learn about International Women’s Day and how to promote equity for Black women and girls because we matter too – and equity leads to equality.
Supporting Black Women and Girls on the 2023 International Women’s Day
As we approach the 2023 International Women’s Day, it’s crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women while also recognising the persistent and insidious inequalities that continue to plague many communities, especially for Black women and girls.
Despite some notable strides in recent times, Black women and girls still face significant barriers to achieving true equality and equity in areas such as health, education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
These multiple forms of discrimination and oppression often result in higher levels of stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, as well as an increased risk of chronic illnesses and other health problems.
Therefore, it’s imperative to address these systemic issues and provide support and resources to Black women to help improve their health and well-being. Working towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society where every person can reach their full potential regardless of gender, race, or other identities, by doing so, we can not only honour the achievements of women but also create a better future for all.
The Ongoing Struggle for Black Women’s Equity
Despite advances in the women’s rights movement, there is still a noticeable gap in the inclusion and recognition of Black women’s struggles and experiences. This invisibility perpetuates the erasure of Black women’s struggles and reinforces systemic discrimination and injustices.
To address this, it’s essential to uplift Black women’s voices and bring attention to their specific challenges rather than treating them as an afterthought in larger conversations about gender equality. But even then, it’s not enough to just talk about it, we must actively do the work to eradicate it.
Beyond a Singular Identity or Issue
The experiences of Black women cannot be reduced to a single identity or issue. They face a unique intersection of both anti-Blackness and gender oppression, which creates a complex set of challenges. For instance, at the time of writing, Black women in the UK and the US are three to four times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, or within the first year after giving birth than White women.
Also, when it comes to entrepreneurs, only 2% of venture funding has been allocated to female founders in the UK, with a mere 0.24% going to Black founders, and even less, 0.02%, awarded to Black female founders between 2009 and 2019.
The lack of funding for Black female founders, in particular, is especially troubling. With such a small percentage of venture funding going to this group, there is a risk that valuable and innovative ideas are being overlooked.
The Importance of Allyship and Solidarity
To create meaningful and lasting change, allyship and solidarity are crucial in fighting for gender equality. Allies can use their privilege and platform to support and amplify marginalised voices and experiences, and solidarity is about actively working together towards a common goal. This means acknowledging and understanding the experiences and challenges faced by Black women and working together to address and eradicate these injustices.
Breaking the Cycle of Erasure and Ignorance
The erasure of Black women’s experiences and struggles within the mainstream women’s movement reinforces systemic inequalities and perpetuates ignorance. However, we can break this cycle and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future by uplifting Black women’s voices, embracing allyship and solidarity, and actively addressing their unique challenges especially on 2023 International Women’s Day.
Taking Action on 2023 International Women’s Day & Beyond
On International Women’s Day 2023 and after, it’s important to amplify the specific challenges Black women and girls face in the UK and worldwide.
Let’s use this opportunity for education, raising awareness, and taking action towards creating a world where Black women and girls have equal opportunities for equity, growth, and success too.