Celebrating International Women's Day

Around the world International Women's Day is recognized with public gatherings and events, parties, as well as somber reflections of the tough work ahead for women's rights and gender equality.

This weekend, women in Zimbabwe are celebrating. Despite the incredible challenges brought on by the political, health and food crises in their country, Oxfam partners the Matabeleland AIDS Council and The Musasa Project are marking their accomplishments along with other local women's organizations and community members. Working with HIV positive people in Bulawayo and rural Matabeleland, they have increased awareness of the disease, improved support systems for those affected and enhanced critical community support for women who experience gender based violence. On Saturday March 7th, these activists and leaders will be dancing and singing at a day-long festival that honours the power of women's leadership in the face of extreme adversity.

For Sister Namibia, another remarkable Oxfam partner, a week of festivities is underway to mark their 20th anniversary as an organization, as well as International Women's Day. Their longevity and achievements should not be understated: Namibia only gained independence in 1990 and Namibians face very high rates of HIV infection as well as devastating levels of violence against women. Sister Namibia works directly with women and girls towards achieving the organization's vision: a country that has achieved full equality, free from violence, poverty and HIV and AIDS.

Liz Frank, Director of Sister Namibia recently said:

'We ran a 50/50 women in politics, or gender balance in politics campaign...That was a six year campaign where we mobilized women across Namibia to understand their right as citizens to vote, to be elected, why we need women in government...We are currently embarking on a new campaign, which we jokingly call 50/50 in the bedroom. And we are looking at cultural practices that are driving HIV and AIDS; that are putting women at risk of unsafe abortion, of sexual violence and abuse...we are framing it as a sexual rights campaign...We have wonderful laws, we have wonderful policies in place in Namibia, we are a shining example of paper policies, but the implementation is not taking place, partly because we are not challenging local cultures...And that is where the patriarchal power is located. And that is where women's bodies are being controlled and violated. And that is why we have such a high rate of HIV and AIDS in some of the regions of our country.

In Nicaragua, the past years have been challenging for equality-seeking groups and women's leaders. Women's human rights defenders are often on the frontlines of political and religious backlash. For the feminist movement in Nicaragua, international women's day is a moment to reunite and reenergize, as this short clip so ably demonstrates.

Oxfam Canada celebrates all of the courageous women and men that work for women's rights and gender equality around the world. To them, and all those in solidarity, happy International Women's Day!