The shoes on my feet, I bought them. The car I’m driving, I bought it, and so to echo the words of the the very independent Destiny’s Child. Rightly so I say; who else should pay for it?
It was International Women’s Day on 8th March and I celebrated alongside many other women and listened to inspirational speeches which made me feel proud to be a woman.
It did however get me thinking why we need a distinct day to recognise the achievements of women. Men also achieve. Men have International Men’s Day that focuses on mental health, but women also suffer from mental health disorders. Are we not all in this together? I am all for empowering women to achieve in all aspects of life, but it is equally as important for men.
Everyone empowering everyone. I have in my position acted for the father who has unfairly been stopped from seeing his child, the husband who is fighting for his livelihood upon divorce, the mother who has been physically and emotionally abused by her partner. Equality and justice should not be a gender factor, it should run through the human race. After all we have the Human Rights Act not the Women’s or Men’s Rights Act.
Whilst I might not be burning my bra I do recognise and actually experience the challenges being a woman brings. We do end up making sacrifices in our careers if we want to become mothers and it can be pretty damn exhausting trying to do it all and be it all. Yes Dolly sometimes it is hard to be a woman.
There are some mornings where by the time I have done the school run I need to lie down in a dark room for five minutes before I compose myself for the day ahead, and I know I am not alone. That said I would not have it any other way.
I am proud to be the role model that I am, and whilst I am happy to endorse girl Power, I would prefer to champion gender parity. Let’s collectively back each other and be gender inclusive.
Every time we help somebody stand up, we are helping humanity. Together we can make a difference.
